ResortQuest Acts to Allay Guests' Fears in Wake of Gulf Oil Spill

ResortQuest employs daily beach photos and weekly guest interviews to provide an accurate picture of current conditions on Northwest Florida's beaches. Temporary adjustments to the company's cancellation policy help alleviate visitors' concerns and encourage continued tourism along the Gulf Coast.


Fort Walton Beach, FL
May 12, 2010 — Standing on the shoreline of Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast, a vacationer named Deborah beams, "It's the epitome of the best beach! It's solid white sand." Next to her, her husband Mike admits, "We had thought of canceling and decided it's best to come. I'm so glad we did."

That's a spirit Northwest Florida hopes to see from more travelers. Without a drop of oil on the beaches or a hint of a slick on the water, Gulf Coast businesses--from restaurants to retailers to charter fishermen--are struggling needlessly. More than any actual disaster, it's false perceptions and fear of the unknown keeping visitors away from Gulf Coast beaches. But, at least one major company is taking positive steps to stem the flow of tourism out of the state.

ResortQuest, the largest vacation rental management company on the Gulf Coast, has undertaken a mission to educate potential guests about the actual condition of Northwest Florida's beaches. "We want to get the truth out there. Guests need to know that our Gulf Coast beaches are as pristine as ever," says Cheryl Spezia, vice president of marketing for ResortQuest. "The beaches are still white. The waves are still their trademark emerald green. It's beautiful here."

As part of that mission, ResortQuest sends out teams daily to capture beach photos, ensuring that guests have an accurate picture--literally--of how the beaches really look along the stretch from Gulf Shores, AL to Panama City Beach, FL. The numerous pictures are then updated each day on ResortQuest's Current Beach Photos Web page. Several times a week, ResortQuest's teams also videotape interviews with real vacationers on the beach, like Deborah and Mike.

Going beyond the security that such photographic evidence can provide, the company has extended additional peace of mind to customers by making temporary adjustments to their cancellation policy. Dubbed "Worry-Free Reservations," the temporary policy amendment states that if beaches are closed to the public due to the oil spill during the dates of a guest's stay, ResortQuest will refund their money, less a nominal reservation fee. ResortQuest has always allowed their guests to change their vacation dates or switch to another ResortQuest location.

"We wanted to ease guest concerns and offer a solution," states Lino Maldonado, ResortQuest vice president of operations. "Our temporary policy change is a step in the right direction. We can't take away all their concerns, but we sure want to do our best."

To view ResortQuest's up-to-date beach photos and video interviews, visit http://www.ResortQuestNWFL.com/beach-photos.htm.

For more information about ResortQuest, visit http://www.resortquest.com/. Or, contact Cheryl Spezia at 850-362-4008 or toll-free at 800-862-4853.



Headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., ResortQuest is the largest marketer and management company of vacation condominiums and home rentals in the nation, with a portfolio of nearly 7,000 U.S. vacation rental properties. With partner affiliates in North America and Europe, ResortQuest offers more than 100,000 vacation rental options in over 140 destinations worldwide.

TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort hosted One of the Largest Tennis Tournaments in the Nation

TOPS’L Beach &  Racquet Resort wrapped up one of the nations largest sanctioned USTA (United States Tennis Association) tournaments on April 18, 2010. Nearly 300 Players were competing in their age division for points toward state and national rankings. Known as The Helen Drake Tournament, the five-day event has been voted ‘Florida’s Tournament of the Year’ three times. “This tournament has grown exponentially since inception in 1987. In fact, participation has doubled in the past 15 years. Players come from all over the south. A few of our participants started playing the tournament when they were in their 40’s and are now playing in the 70’s division. It is a great testament to the tournament experience,” said Tennis Director Joe D’Aleo.

The tournament consists of singles and doubles events for both men and women. Tournament matches are paired by age - starting from 30’s up to 80’s. Additionally, players can choose the ‘Open Division’ as an option for those who want to compete with the best, at any age. Plans for the 2011 Helen Drake Tournament are already underway. “We expect the tournament to keep growing. Our plan has always been to make tennis at TOPS’L a world-class experience,” remarked D’Aleo, “And with the quality of players attending The Helen Drake year after year, we are on our way to the top.”

Evidence TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort is making strides in the tennis sector, USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) has chosen TOPS’L as the destination for their annual regional conference; making this the first Southern Division Conference in the history of the USPTA to be held in Northwest Florida. The conference is a four-day event and is expected over one hundred of the South’s finest Tennis Professionals.

Managed by ResortQuest, TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort is a renowned destination for tennis lovers. In 2009, consumers voted TOPS’L as the 9^th best tennis resort in the world by tennis resorts online. For over a decade TOPS’L has been recognized as being one of the U.S. Top 50 Tennis Resort destinations by Tennis Magazine. 

ResortQuest is offering music lovers a rockin’ deal on accommodations within a flip-flop walk of the first ever large-scale music festival on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The Hangout Music Arts Festival will be held May 14-16 and will feature 60+ artists opening each day from noon to 11 p.m.


CONFIRMED ARTISTS: Trey Anastasio and TAB, Zac Brown Band, John Legend, Ben Harper and Relentless7, The Black Crowes, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Gov't Mule, The Flaming Lips, Ray LaMontagne, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Funky Meters, Blind Boys of Alabama, Matisyahu, Girl Talk, Guster, Brett Dennen, Keller Williams, Jerry Jeff Walker, North Mississippi All-stars, ALO, The Whigs, Ozomatli, OK GO, Orianthi, Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam, Pnuma Trio, Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears, Toubab Krewe, Mat Hires, A.A. Bondy, Rachel Goodrich, Moon Taxi, El Cantador, Kristy Lee, Roman Street, Jacob Dylan and Three Legs Feat, Neko Case and Kelly Hogan, Jeff Austin, and Friends feat, Larry Keel, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, NEEDTOBREATHE, Wild Sweet Orange, Rustlanders and Kirsten Price


Book  online now and save 33%* off your accommodations in an eligible ResortQuest Gulf Shores vacation rental. This online rate reduction applies to stays through 5/26/2010. This is a limited time offer, so book online Today. 

FOR EVENT TICKETS CALL 888.512.SHOW (7469)

One of the most successful family shows of all time adds to destination allure!

Visitors of Northwest Florida will soon be able to enjoy an international entertainment attraction unlike any other offered in the region. “Le Grand Cirque,” a highly popular live entertainment attraction is premiering in South Walton County and will play throughout the summer and possibly beyond.

The spectacular production features contortionists, tumblers and incredible aerial acts as well as the breathtaking Wheel of Death – one of the most dangerous acts ever attempted in a live show.

Starting in late May, “Le Grand Cirque” will perform in Grand Boulevard for the entire summer in the Grand Arena, one of three, cream-colored Italian-style, air-conditioned fabric structures which comprise the venue.

ResortQuest is honored to be a sponsor helping bring this spectacular show to the Emerald Coast.  As a ResortQuest preferred guest, you qualify for discounted tickets to see Le Grand Cirque! You must use promotion code RT419921 to receive your discount.

Opening Memorial Weekend, “Le Grand Cirque” provides a magnificent experience to enhance the perfect vacation and is the new must-see attraction for visitors and locals alike in Northwest Florida.

Don’t forget to get your special discount from ResortQuest by referring to promotion code: RT419921. To get your tickets now, you can visit the ticket booth on location, call 866.973.9610 or visit www.cirquedestin.com. 

South West Airlines annouces first flight in/out of Panama City Beach

NEWS FLASH!!!

South West Airlines first flight in/out of Panama City is scheduled for May 23rd 2010.

As of “TODAY” you can book fares as low as $49.00. The four non-stop destinations to and from Panama City are:

Baltimore

Orlando

Nashville

Houston

Southwest is offering these new flights with fares as low as $49 each way to Orlando and $69 each way to Baltimore/Washington, Houston, and Nashville with a 14-day advance purchase

* Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Houston Hobby (HOU) – two daily flights

* Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) – two daily flights

* Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Orlando (MCO) – two daily flights

For more details please go to http://www.southwest.com