—Certification strengthens partnership between state and local tourism agencies—

PANAMA CITY, Fla., Nov. 21, 2016 – The State of Florida’s tourism authority, VISIT FLORIDA, announced
today that it has awarded the Panama City Visitors Center its enviable Certified Travel Information
Center (CTIC) designation. The certification, which was awarded based on a successful application
submitted by Destination Panama City, recognizes the Visitors Center for providing outstanding service
and for meeting a well-defined set of criteria such as hours of operations, on-site staffing, ADA
accessibility and the ability to sustain long-term operations at a high level.

In addition to the application, the evaluation process required a site visit from VISIT FLORIDA to inspect
and assess first-hand the Visitors Center and its offerings and operations. As part of the process,
Destination Panama City was also required to submit a brief description of the Visitors Center and its
operations.

Since its foundation, Destination Panama City has served as an official marketing partner with VISIT
FLORIDA, a collaborative effort in which the two agencies support each other’s common efforts to
market the state, region and city in order to attract tourists to the area. For example, the Panama City
Visitors Center offers VISIT FLORIDA’s brochures and maps in addition to collateral on local businesses
and attractions, and VISIT FLORIDA centers reciprocate.

“Tourism is one of our state’s leading industries and provides a considerable source of revenue both
locally and statewide,” says Destination Panama City President and CEO Jennifer Vigil. “This designation
that further strengthens our partnership with VISIT FLORIDA will benefit Destination Panama City as we
continue to market the city as a compelling tourism destination.”

Vigil adds, “In the short time that Destination Panama City and the Visitors Center have been in
operation, we’ve found the partnership with VISIT FLORIDA to be vitally important, and we’re thrilled to
further solidify this mutually beneficial partnership and proud that our Visitors Center has been
recognized by VISIT FLORIDA with this certification. It’s a sign that the community investment in
marketing Panama City as a travel destination is paying off.”

The certification will strengthen and deepen the existing relationships between Destination Panama
City, the State of Florida network and other tourism professionals throughout the state. It will also
provide Destination Panama City with additional visibility at Official Florida Welcome Centers, provide
Destination Panama City with unique marketing opportunities and permit Destination Panama City to
display CTIC signage at the Visitors Center to distinguish it as a certified center. Destination Panama City
staff will benefit from enhanced communications, networking and educational opportunities along with
other statewide destination marketing organizations with which it shares the CTIC. The certification also
stands to make Visitors Center staff more effective at serving tourists by allowing them to earn the
Statewide Information Specialist Certification.

The Destination Panama City Visitors Center opened at 1000 Beck Avenue in Historic St. Andrews with a
ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 10, 2016. Visitors are cordially invited to visit the Visitors Center
anytime Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. For
more information, please contact the Visitors Center at 850-215-1700 or email
[email protected].