Welcome to

With the panhandle tourism season over and money promised from BP slow to come, the governor is stepping in to boost tourism.

Governor Charlie Crist is giving the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association 700-thousand dollars. The money comes from a pool paid into by members earlier this year and was originally earmarked for educational and promotional programs. The Association’s President Carol Dover says it’s better spent now to help businesses still struggling from the oil spill.

“I want to thank the governor and his staff for seeing how serious it is still in the panhandle. They virtually lost their peak season and as you know the fall is not the season in the panhandle, but it’s one of the most beautiful times to be in the panhandle,” said Dover.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association will work with panhandle businesses leaders to pump the money into fishing tournaments, concerts, and seafood festivals.