Whether or not to market Panama City Beach as a spring break town has caused controversy for years.

The issue is once again causing some debate, but the majority of people at this meeting say the beach needs spring break.

A packed room of business owners, and concerned citizens voiced strong opinions about spring break.

Here's a link to the full story:
http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/53727422.html

__________________
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

Thanks for the post gagirl! That debate has been ongoing for nearly two decades, but it's really been hot the last few years.

I still question whether Spring Break affects PCB's overall reputation as much as some people claim. Cancun is still a huge vacation destination (including families) outside of Spring Break and their Spring Break typically draws larger crowds and from what I hear, can be way more raucous.

What do you think?

I don't think Spring Break affects PCB's overall reputation as much as they claim either. Afterall, don't most "families" visit PCB during the summer months when school is out...not during Feb-Mar Spring Break time???

__________________
Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

yep and PCB definately needs its tourism money, aside from that its a rather small community with limited industry besides fishing or military contracts. florida survives on tourism, but towns like PCB and orlando live or die by tourism. i think they need to take a step back and look at the larger picture here. being the number 1 domestic location for spring break isnt something to try and get rid of. look at daytona, or south beach. they both had their runs of being #1 and they threw it away. now look at them.

__________________
I killed a 12 pack....
just to watch it die

This topic is VERY similar to politics. People greatly benefit from something, but then try to shut it down for the people that come after them.

I've been to quite a few spring breaks, and the older I get...the more I can understand why a town wouldn't want to be responsible for "kids" gathering and doing things that their parents would be appalled at.

But at the same time...I did it...and it didn't prove detrimental to my life. So...I don't agree with shutting it down for people that come after me.

__________________
Sunbird - Mar 18-22

I hope the locals who don't want spring break are prepared to pay tripled to quadruple taxes if they get their wish. Spring Break brings in multi-millions of dollars for PCB and without that, taxes will shoot sky high, along with the unemployment rate. A city of 8000 would not be able to support all the stores, restaurants, and lodging without the +1 million of breakers who actually support them. Which would lead to a rise in unemployment. I believe PCB's unemployment rate is 8.7% which is well below the national average. In comparison, the town I grew up in with no tourism revenue and with a population the same size of PCB is currently at 12.8%. I think, as a whole, most of the residents of PCB understand this fact. It is only a few who are to ignorant to understand what cutting spring break would do to their town. Hopefully the people in power are on the educated side rather than the side of the ignorant.

That being said....woo hoo! Who's ready for Spring Break 2010?