The annual ritual of Spring Break is upon us and, like a migrating bird, the communities which host this drunkfest change with the wind. And those which do decide to put up with thousands of hafl-dressed, drunkenn college students puking on their sidewalks do so with trepidation. And let’s not forget the $40 billion that gets dropped on these towns each March.
Ft. Lauderdale and Daytona Beach used to rule. Now they look like senior communities compared to their former incarnations. There was Lake Havasu and others. Now Miami Beach, Cancun, South Padre Island, Punta Cana and Panama City rule.
But Panama City wants the best of both worlds. They want to be a family destination and, for two weeks in March, a top spot for Spring Break. And they’re spending money to accomplish both goals. can they succeed? Can they sell the same place to two very different audiences? With campaigns and a social media effort, they hope so.
