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Panhandle businesses are still reeling from the BP oil spill and they’re asking Floridians to help them recover.

The Florida League of Cities is launching a statewide advertising campaign… asking Floridians to take a mini-vacation along the Emerald Coast. The 30 and 60 second ads feature three panhandle mayors. Destin Mayor Sam Seevers is one of them. Seevers says the commercial will help spread the message that the Gulf Coast is open for business.

“It’s over and we need to put a nail in the coffin on some of the myths that have been happening. Our beaches are beautiful, our water is clear, it’s safe to eat the seafood and we really really encourage you guys, the Floridians, to come up to our area and understand why we are one of the top beach destinations in Florida and in the United States,” said Seevers.

One indicator of travel is the bed-tax charged on hotel stays. In July the bed-tax in Florida fell 21 percent compared to a year ago. The commercials will begin running this month through May 2011.