Gulf Spill Hurts Tourism, Beaches are Fine
Posted on 28. Jul, 2010 by Raven Schneizer in Other
The massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has caused detrimental effects on the tourism along the coast as vacationers steer clear; although beaches themselves remain clear and safe, according to reports.
Although only three areas of Louisiana have seen the closure of beaches, vacationers are avoiding the once prosperous beaches that lay upon the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, according to 20th annual report on water quality at U.S. beaches by the Natural Resources Defense Council. There are however several health advisories along the Gulf which are prompting tourists to look elsewhere.
According to the report, 49 of 253 monitored beach sites in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi have seen either closures or health advisories.
“We have not had any oil, any tarballs, anything within hundreds of miles of our beaches,” stated executive director of Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater tourism authority D.T Minich. “But perception is the problem.”
“Tourists are being driven away by the specter of oil “mouse,” tar balls, tar mats and even liquid oil on the sand and in the water,” the report says.
Officials are taking the spill seriously, although there have been no warnings issued in Texas, and very few in Alabama and Florida.
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