PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., December 15, 2011 – Panama City Beach is enticing travelers to trade their snow shovels for sunshine and sugar-white sand beaches this winter season with a collection of seasonal activities and affordable rates. From chili and sweet treat cook-offs to a dedicated Senior Prom (complete with a King and Queen) in addition to the destination’s great golf and fishing, the action is non-stop. Combine that with exceptional values and snowbirds truly have a reason to puff their feathers with pride.
“Panama City Beach offers a REAL.FUN.BEACH. experience on a year round basis,” states Dan Rowe, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Each winter, thousands of visitors descend upon our beach for months at a time and more and more are hosting friends and family during their stay. We are a huge hit with grandchildren.”
This year, Panama City Beach is rolling out the red carpet for its winter residents with the first annual Senior Prom. It will be held on Fri., Feb. 10, 2012 at Edgewater Beach Resort. Guests can participate in twist and shag contests and crown their very own King and Queen. The crowned couple will receive a prize package that includes two airline tickets for friends and families to visit them in Panama City Beach, $500 gift card, limousine transportation, keys to the city, and, of course, decorated crowns. To nominate a couple, go to www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.
The destination is also hosting a chili cook-off on Jan. 13, 2012, a Valentine’s Day sweets bake-off on Feb. 14, 2012 and a soup du jour cook-off on Feb., 24, 2012. The area’s golf courses are also in on the action with special “Golf Mystery Challenges” and other events throughout the season. In addition, Panama City Beach holds monthly Winter Resident Appreciation Days in its Visitor Information Center.
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau’s properties are also featuring various events and activities throughout the season as well as special packages and incentives. A sampling includes:
Hampton Inn Gas Card
Travelers who stay three nights on any Thurs. through Sun. combination between now and Feb. 28, 2011, receive a $20 gas card. Rates start at $104 per night, based on double occupancy. AARP and AAA members receive 20 percent off weekend stays for visits now through Jan. 1, 2012. For more information, visit www.panamacitybeach.hamptoninn.com or call directly at 850-236-8988.
Oaseas Resorts
Rates for Cabana Cay begin at $750 per month and $900 per month for the Shores of Panama. Visitors can participate in daily activities at the Shores of Panama, many of which are complimentary. These include self defense courses, the property’s own version of “Biggest Loser,” Xbox Kinect tennis, not-so-newly-wed game, and more. Guests can also take advantage of shopping trips, murder mystery dinners and group visits to Biloxi.
ResortQuest’s Snowbird Offers at Five Properties
ResortQuest rates at five premier properties including Palazzo, Tidewater, Sunrise, Seychelles and Celadon start at $1110 per month for a one-bedroom condominium to $1,590 per month for a three-bedroom unit. Tidewater hosts weekly potluck events, shuffle board tournaments, Biloxi casino trips, happy hours and fitness walks. For more information, visit www.resortquestpanamacitybeachvacations.com
Royal American Beach Getaways & Boardwalk Beach Resort
Offering daily, weekly and monthly rates, guests who book by Jan. 1, 2012, receive up to $200 off select condominium units. Boardwalk Beach Resort also hosts Snowbird Dances with DJ Jim Lawson twice a week through February. For more information, visit www.getawaytothegulf.com.
Sterling Resorts Snowbird Club
Now through Feb. 2012, value rates start at $33 per night with a minimum 28 nights’ stay. Rates do not include taxes or fees and are based on availability. Additional restrictions may apply. Its Snowbird Club offers exclusive discounts to local dining and shopping venues, area recreation and attractions. For more information, visit www.sterlingresorts.com or call toll-free 866-975-2098.
For more information or to book a stay in Panama City Beach, please go to
About Panama City Beach:
Panama City Beach is situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering clear, emerald-green waters where the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew Bay converge. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually and attractions such as St. Andrews State Park and Pier Park, the region has long been favored by travelers seeking an affordable beach vacation with year-round offerings for families, couples, groups and adventure-seekers. These include championship golf courses, spas, sporting events, award-winning dining and diverse recreational activities. Panama City Beach recently opened the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, offering non-stop flights on Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-6503) or visit the official Web site of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.panamacitybeach.com . You can now follow us on Twitter @PCBeach to receive up the minute news and details on special offers and deals.
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Media Contacts
Susan Estler
Panama City Beach CVB
850-233-5070
sestler@visitpanamacitybeach.com
Gina Stouffer / Heidi Barfels
Lou Hammond & Associates
561-655-3836
ginag@lhammond.com / heidib@lhammond.com
