[Poll] Would you vacation on the Gulf Coast?

By Sarah Park On June 29, 2010 · 12 Comments

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Governor Haley Barbour wants you to vacation on the Gulf Coast this summer.

AMIDST A CATASTROPHIC oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour emphatically insists that the biggest problem currently facing his state is not massive ecological damage, but the national news media. Dismissing current news reports as exaggerations, Barbour has been actively reassuring potential visitors that the BP oil spill hasn’t had a negative effect on the “gorgeous, pristine” beaches of his state.

Photo: Corey Ann

Though beaches of Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and, yes, even Mississippi have all reported signs of oil washing up on their shores, Barbour maintains an upbeat attitude about the spill as he aggressively promotes tourism in the area. While declining tourist visits are a legitimate concern for local businesses and economies, his chipper skepticism is more than a little disturbing.

Questionable attitude aside, Barbour isn’t entirely wrong. Thanks to the surrounding barrier islands, Mississippi’s beaches haven’t been experiencing the same thick, gloopy sludge that is washing up on beaches in other areas. At least not yet, that is.

Barbour maintains that the oil on Mississippi’s beaches “doesn’t look like oil.” Rather, “it’s very mixed with water. A lot of it is orange or caramel in color.” Sounds delicious!

Now that a robot has knocked BP’s containment cap loose and it appears to be raining oil in Louisiana (maybe), would you consider visiting the Gulf Coast?

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Wondering what you can do to help clean up the oil spill? Read Nancy Harder’s article about how donating your hair, hosiery, or pet fur can help.

About The Author

Sarah Park

Sarah Park is currently spending her quarter-life crisis in the beautiful Eastern Sierra. She spends her days snowboarding, hiking and not at all slipping into a soul-devouring existential dilemma. Don't worry, she's kidding... kinda.

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http://www.carolinanomad.com Spencer Spellman

I’m actually going down to the Gulf Coast in a week to Mobile, though not for vacation. With reports of oil reaching Gulf Coast beaches, I can’t imagine this in anyway being good for tourism, with the exception of volunteers who are going down there. Heard today that BP has a new plan for a fix that would plug the spill completely by August. That’s reassuring…
http://matadortrips.com/ Hal Amen

I’d go just to see for myself what’s what, and hopefully lend a hand. Not on a traditional “vacation” though.
somchai

NPR had a long interview with Barbour today, he was fairly reasuring. Although the oil hasn’t yet reached tourist beaches in Mississippi it has caused damage to the fishing industry and he is intent on doing all possible to minimize it’s impact when it does hit his beaches. He goes on further to say so far the lack of tourism $s has been the most severe problem so far.

I would adamantly not go.

I am trying to limit my flying to as rarely as possible. It’s my insatiable demand for diesel, gasoline, and Jet A that causes us to spend billions drilling in such difficult and vulnerable areas. I am the most piggish consumer of petroleum in the world, but I’m trying to do better.

Travel local, don’t burn Jet A.
http://www.sarah-park.com Sarah

My original answer was that I’d go to help out with the clean-up effort… Maybe go scrub some birds or something. I think it’s ridiculous (and a little insensitive) to head that way with an inner tube and sand pail, looking for a fun beach vacation. At this point, nobody can ignore the giant crisis they’re experiencing over there. But on the other hand, I know the businesses out there need our tourism dollars.

But then, you’re right @somchai. Flying across the country to help clean up a mess that was caused by our own addiction to fuel seems a bit hypocritical, too. The damage done by this, though, needs to be seen first hand by every American with an oil-obsessed lifestyle. I think it’s more important to make a lifestyle change and to find the ways we can cut down the everyday use of renewable resources — drive less, walk more, eat local — than it is to cut out a trip where hopefully you’d leave a different person than when you got there. I don’t know, I guess that’s part of it though. See how conflicted I am???

I’m kinda torn, I guess. I’m definitely not going to eat the seafood, though.
Robert

I live in Hawaii … why would I want to go to the Gulf Coast ….
James Craven

Will absolutely vaca on Gulf! Support our gulf!
JSC
http://thegreengrassgrowsallaround.blogspot.com LMM

Absolutely! Thre are plenty of beautiful beach spots still clean – just came back from Mexico Beach (east of Panama City). Clean beaches, clean water and if you were planning to go anyway you should – the economy there can use it. It would be a way to help the area.
Jack

What percentage of beaches along the ‘Gulf Coast’ actually have oil on them? Would venture that less the 25%.
nefertiti

I live in Florida not far from the gulf coast, and there hasn’t been any oil near the beaches of Cedar Key down to Clearwater near Tampa. Those are the places I know best and so far it is true that the worst damage has been the lack of tourism in the area. So i voted that I would vacation there, but truthfully, I enjoy the atlantic coast much more and I think it is less developed in terms of resorts. Plus, bathing in the gulf is like taking a bath, the water is too warm for me!
Courtney J

I live in the Gulf Coast and can tell you right now, where I live all systems are a go. Our area has been threatening to get hit by this spill for almost three months and we have yet to see much of an impact to the beaches. The only thing hit hardest is fishing and all the fisherman have signed contracts to work for BP. Tourism is still booming and we are still here. So if anyone wants to vacation on the Gulf Coast, come to Destin. The waters are still beautiful and the beaches are still covered with sugar white sands.
http://www.sarah-park.com Sarah

@ LMM, nefertiti, and Courtney J – Thanks for your first-hand accounts! It’s hard to decipher what the situation really looks like from way over here in CA.
avary

I actually just moved to Pensacola, Florida from Canada and the beaches are clean and beautiful! Two events are being held right on Pensacola Beach this fall 2010 and I encourage all art and wine lovers to attend: The Pensacola Beach Taste of the Beach weekend is being held on September 18-19, and The 3rd annual Art and Wine Weekend on October 2-3.

At The Taste of The Beach, I get to try the signature dishes of celebrated chefs as they showcase their culinary skills. The event also includes a corvette show, free entertainment, People’s choice awards ceremony, kids games and contests. September 18 – 19 from 11am – 4pm at the Gulfside Pavilion at Pensacola Beach.

At the Art and Wine Weekend, I get to attend multiple wine tastings going on all weekend. Also, I get to ride the free ‘Art Express’ trolley while I travel to 20 different locations to view all kinds of various modern art. I can’t wait to attend this event, and I encourage all art and wine lovers to visit Pensacola Beach on Oct. 2-3, 2010 for the 3rd annual Art and Wine Weekend.

[Poll] Would you vacation on the Gulf Coast?

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