http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/gulf-oil-spill-could-be-disastrous-for-florida-653796.html
Yeah, it could impact the economy, but I am more concerned with the environment it is destroying… DeeVon
Palm Beach Post
By JEFF OSTROWSKI
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 9:02 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010
Posted: 7:56 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2010
If there’s one thing Florida’s battered economy doesn’t need, it’s a massive oil spill and the threat of tar balls washing up on beaches.
State tourism officials fret that the still-growing slick in the Gulf of Mexico could inflict lasting financial damage.
“This is one thing that could hurt more than a recession, more than four hurricanes coming into Florida in one season,” said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and a member of the board of Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing arm. “This could have lingering, disastrous implications.”
Florida’s tourism industry, built in large part on white-sand beaches and warm water, has never weathered a significant oil spill. It could get worse: Some oceanographers say gulf currents could carry oil to Atlantic beaches in a few weeks.
Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday declared a state of emergency for six Panhandle counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf. But even if the damage is contained to that area, hoteliers and restaurateurs from Destin to Amelia Island could suffer, Grossman said.
“To most of our visitors, Florida is Florida,” she said.
Florida’s economy is especially fragile, with unemployment soaring and home sales plummeting in recent years. Tourism has picked up from a year ago but remains well below boom-time levels.
“If we start seeing oil slicks washing up on our beaches, that could have a significant impact on tourism at a time when tourism is pretty weak to begin with,” said Sean Snaith, an economist at the University of Central Florida. “Talk about getting kicked when you’re down.”
Bargain-hunting foreigners have played a key role in tourism spending and real estate investment, but images of an oil spill might frighten them off, Snaith said.
Others are more optimistic. Roger Amidon, executive director of the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council, said he does not expect oil to reach beaches here.
“Right now it doesn’t seem to be a threat,” he said. “We’re keeping a close eye on it, because we know how much of an impact it could have on tourism if it does hit.”
Attractions such as Walt Disney World and Sea World won’t be affected, said Kathy Torian, spokeswoman for Visit Florida. “There’s still every reason to come to Florida, because we have so much besides beaches,” she said.
Meanwhile, the spill sapped support for offshore drilling. President Obama, who recently lifted a moratorium on drilling in many offshore areas, on Friday directed that no new offshore drilling leases be issued unless rigs have new safeguards to prevent a repeat of the Gulf of Mexico disaster.
Gov. Charlie Crist, once a supporter of new drilling, said the oil slick “puts the kibosh” on any more talk of expanded drilling in the gulf.
Crist plans to head to Pensacola this weekend to monitor the situation. In a letter to federal officials, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said the spill could devastate the state’s $65 billion tourism economy, environment and fishing industry.
Staff writer Michael Bender and The Associated Press contributed to this story. Special thanks to Richard Charter