Campaign celebrates Panama City’s allure for visitors and residents alike

Panama City, FL – 5/21/2022 – Destination Panama City is launching a new campaign, “Why Locals LovePC.” The campaign seeks to instill pride in Panama City among residents, making them more cognizant of the city’s array of leisure and entertainment offerings, and inspired to try new things in their backyards.

“Why Locals LovePC” will roll out gradually from May to June. It will kick off with a video series that highlights five Panama City locals, each with a depth of knowledge about Panama City’s live music scene, arts and cultural offerings, water activities, dining, or shopping. Subjects of the video series include musician Will Thompson, Captain Daniel Snapp, Havana1980 owner-operators Jacqueline Bostick and José Nodal, artist Christence Taylor, and entrepreneur Cara Baker. The videos were produced by Wewahitchka-based Wewa Films, and will be available on a new webpage created for the campaign, http://www.destinationpanamacity.com/locals; on Destination Panama City’s social media platforms; as well as on Beach TV.

Additionally, beginning in May, Panama City residents will be encouraged to submit their pictures of their favorite things to do in Panama City through http://www.destinationpanamacity.com/locals. Of the submissions featured on Destination Panama City’s social media platforms, one winner will be selected at random to receive a special LovePC gift basket filled with local favorites.

Beginning in June, the site will also feature locals’ curated recommendations of Panama City experiences.

“During Tourism Appreciation Month, we’re reminding our community that Panama City offers an abundance of fun, unique things to do – and they aren’t just for the thousands of visitors that stay with us each year. They’re for the city’s residents to enjoy, too,” said Jennifer Vigil, president and CEO of Destination Panama City. “Our residents are Panama City’s best tourism ambassadors, so it’s important that they have a deep understanding of what makes our city great and appreciate everything that our destination has to offer.”

Through tourism promotion and marketing, Destination Panama City has drawn visitors to the city’s cultural attractions, walkable historic neighborhoods, and deep-blue waters of St. Andrews Bay. Tourism is the top economic driver in Bay County, employing more than one out of every eight residents. Last fiscal year, Panama City’s lodging partners brought in more than $45 million in short-term lodging revenue, employed more than 400 people and paid more than $9 million in wages. Overnight visitors come from as close as Tallahassee to as far away as Japan to explore Panama City.