ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Officials in Florida’s Gulf Coast region are urging those who are concerned about the aftermath of recent hurricanes to consider visiting as tourists to aid in the recovery efforts. Despite the fact that some beaches remain closed and debris still lines the streets from hurricanes Helene and Milton, tourism leaders emphasize the importance of supporting the local economy during this difficult time.

According to a statement from the tourism promotion agency for the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, approximately 80% of hotels and businesses are operational, as recovery and cleanup processes continue. “Many individuals have reached out asking, ‘How can I contribute?’ The answer is simple: Come and visit our beautiful region and support the local businesses that need assistance the most,” stated Visit St. Pete-Clearwater in a recent press release. They also encouraged additional involvement through beach cleanups, attending fundraisers, and making donations.

Hurricane Helene made landfall as a powerful category 4 storm in Florida’s Big Bend area last month, while Hurricane Milton struck earlier this month as a category 3 storm on a barrier island situated within Sarasota County.

In response to these hurricanes, the state’s tourism promotion agency has announced plans to allocate $5.7 million towards marketing Florida as a desirable tourist destination moving forward. The initial phase of this campaign will utilize social media to highlight regions that were less affected by the storms, including Pensacola, Panama City Beach, and Islamorada located in the Florida Keys.

The subsequent phase will concentrate on promoting areas that faced storm damage but have since made significant recoveries, such as Naples and Fort Myers, with a budget of $3 million. The final phase will provide targeted marketing assistance to the counties dramatically impacted by the storms, particularly in the St. Petersburg and Sarasota areas, along with rural sections in the Panhandle, as outlined by Visit Florida.