Alabama’s Beaches Cleared For Landings From New Customer Bases
By www.OrangeBeach.ws, November 4, 2013
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL – With today’s arrival of the first Southwest Airlines flight at Pensacola International Airport, officials in a neighboring beach destination are hopeful that this development will increase tourism. “Traditionally, visitors to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have driven to our family beach destination,” said Joanie Flynn, vice president of marketing at Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (CVB). “However, the arrival of this historically economical carrier will open new doors for us as we market to those looking for a quick travel option for a weekend girlfriends’ trip, a guy’s getaway with fishing and/or golf or a quick couples retreat. As we unveil our new brand platform in the coming months and launch our 2014 advertising campaign, we will continue to look for additional ways to utilize Southwest’s flights.” Currently, Southwest offers daily, non-stop flights from Houston Hobby and Nashville Airports to Pensacola. Through these two cities, over 65 markets and counting in the Southwest Airlines network can find their way to Pleasure Island. With affordable airfares, friendly service and convenient schedules, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have an opportunity to draw many new visitors from Southwest’s broad geographic reach. “We know that once they see our beaches and experience our warm Southern welcome, they often return again and again,” Flynn said. “The new air service is also a boom from local businesses that need to call on customers and vendors. That becomes more affordable starting with these new flights launching. And leisure travelers from our area will also have a host of new destinations to explore. It’s a true win-win from our area.” Brad Hawkins, senior advisor of communications for Southwest, added that the airline is aware that the northwest Florida and south Alabama area is a hotspot for tourism, and more flights mean more people vacationing on the Gulf Coast. “This is a powerhouse region not only of tourism but of business development,” Hawkins said. “We’re now bringing 3,000 seats a week into this region and 3,000 seats a week out. That’s a huge opportunity for business, leisure and economic development.” |
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