Located almost exactly in the middle of Florida’s panhandle, Panama City Beach is a destination that has long attracted visitors with its sugar-white sand beaches and sunshine. With everything from championship golf courses and spas to state parks, Panama City Beach already appeals to families, couples, groups, and nature enthusiasts, but the city continues to expand its offerings.
New Accommodations
Recent announcements include plans to build a new hotel and a new resort in Panama City Beach in the coming years. The St. Joe Company, which has already broken ground on a new 124-room TownePlace Suites and plans to break ground in 2019 for a new 250-room Embassy Suites at Pier Park, announced that it will build a new property near the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The new hotel, whose brand has yet to be released, will include 110-125 guestrooms, a full service restaurant and bar, meeting space and more. This property will be located adjacent to the airport within what is already St. Joe’s 110,500-acre development known as the Bay-Walton Sector Plan and is anticipated to help service a more than 300 percent increase in passenger traffic to the airport since 2009.
Meanwhile, fans of the Margaritaville brand will soon have another property to visit as Margaritaville Holdings and Premier Development Group have announced a partnership to develop a new 13-acre destination resort in Panama City Beach. The Margaritaville Beach Resort will combine a full service hotel, an amenity park, function space, several signature Margaritaville food and beverage concepts, retail and more. With flexible occupancy options, guestrooms will cater to both couples and family groups, all offering views of the surrounding landscape. The resort is expected to begin a phased opening in Spring 2021.
New Activities
While the beach and St. Andrews State Park offer plenty of opportunities for active travelers, your more athletically inclined clients may appreciate the brand-new $37 million sports complex currently under construction. Estimated to open summer 2019, the Panama City Beach Sports Complex will offer visitors a place to enjoy multiple athletic pastimes including soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football, flag football, baseball and softball. When complete, the facility will include dedicated tournament buildings, two stadium championship fields with seating for 1,500 and a 13-field complex made up of nine turf and four grass fields. Details of the opening, including special festivities for Bay County residents, will be announced closer to summer 2019.
For more information, visit visitpanamacitybeach.com.
