Do you think the coastal areas of the gulf are taking advantage of the oil spill?

I believe they are just trying their damndest to mitigate their losses. How on earth to you figure anyone who makes a living off the gulf could take advantage of the oil spill? How do you figure that?

@lillycoyote I described it above. I am talking about the beaches, just talking tourism, where the oil has not really impacted in FL and Alabama. Did you read what I wrote or just the main question?

@JLeslie As I said, I think people are trying to mitigate their losses. Trying to let people know that the whole coast is not a disaster. I don’t think that can be considered “taking advantage” of the oil spill. Just letting people know that if they want to come and enjoy the Gulf Coast that there are places that have not been affected by the oil spill.

I think they are trying to make sure that people know the oil has not caused a reason for people to stop visiting. They are trying to be sure that they don’t lose their revenue on tourism that they are use to receiving each year. I don’t think they are taking advantage of anything, just protecting themselves from possible loss.

@lillycoyote I misunderstood your first answer, I see what you are saying now. Thanks.

@JLeslie O.K. I misread and misunderstand things here all the time. Good to know that I am not alone. :)

I don’t think they, (the states) are trying to take advantage of it. I’m sure there are individuals who are doing their best too though. There are always those.

Not all beaches are feeling the hit, yet, of the oil. No, I don’t think anyone is taking advantage, yet.

Florida’s economy relies heavily on tourism. People hear about the oil spill, and automatically start second-guessing their travel plans. Same thing happens during hurricane season, even though serious storms are rare in this area (which is why my entire body groans every time I see a weather report during that time of year. They’re always so melodramatic.)

Florida tourism advertises every year, but this year they’ve really had to pick it up to just let people know that the oil’s not here yet, and of course it’s just as gorgeous as ever! Getting on the news and complaining about lost business isn’t going to do your struggling business any good. So sad, too bad for the reporters who really wanted to hear some whining, though.

Many of the Gulf Coast beaches are only open a limited number of months. While Alabama and parts of Florida may not have been impacted yet, a wild hurricane season could change all of that very quickly. As a business owner whose livelihood depends on local fish and shrimp in restaurants, clean and safe beaches, tourist attractions unmarred by tar balls, I too would take advantage of getting customers now (not knowing what the future might bring).

Would hurricane Katrina be a good example for your question? uneffected people in New Orleans and other cities took advantage of the Federal Government(you and i), by accepting debit cards to help pay for their bogus expenses and losses. the Federal Government gave out these “blank check” debit cards like bottles of free water. much fraud took place during Katrina and i am thinking you believe this will occur with the oil spill. i sincerely hope the Federal Government learned a lesson with Katrina and keeps a better “watch dog” on supposedly victims of the oil spill, this time. i am for any true victim to receive compensation for their loss in the Gulf. i only hope this time, the government and BP make the victims show proof of their losses, before restitution. BP will bear the blunt of the cost, but you and i will eventually be effected down the road and i think you know what i mean.

OP says, “I keep hearing in the media that the beaches are still beautiful…”

I submit: BP wants you to think that, too.

I have no doubt that some areas are yet unspoiled, but I also have no doubt that it’s not a rosy situation by any means.

As always, there are legitimate victims and then those who will take advantage of the situation who are not really victims.
I do hope that they do a better job of sorting out who is who this time.

At first this question really pissed me off since I am living it! But, then I stopped and can see that it is a bit of a contradiction- We need help because the oil is closing down fisheries, oyster beds, and some beaches- as well as killing wildlife and putting the protective marshes at risk of washing away. The tourism industry is affected too.

However, it is not like everything is drenched in oil or even that all the seafood is tainted, or all the beaches are closed….come visit! BP is paying for commercials as agreed to help recover some of the loss to let people know that we are not all covered in oil and still have a lot to offer visitors. The media sells panic and it’s a balance for the states to get the help they need while still reassuring that they are a viable place to visit.

You can expect at lot of residents, local and state governments to try to bleed every bit of money they can, from everyone they can, out of the disaster. And there will be a lot of money simply thrown at people. I suffered minor property damage from a natural disaster and FEMA came around to assess damage and compensate people. I was shocked when I received my check. They gave me blatantly too much money for my minor damage. However, I understand that the assessment workers were rewarded for how much money they dispersed. Of course, you know who paid the bill for their self-serving generosity – you did, if you pay federal income taxes!

Sure in any circumstance like this there are people who really need help, who don’t get enough, and then people who really don’t need much help, that wind up ahead of the game, as some have mentioned here. When I went through Hurricane Wilma in FL, I had bad damage ($30K worth) and no electricity for 8 days. Seems I could have bought a generator for my house and the government would have reimbursed me from what I understand, but I didn’t do it.

I just know that I never think to go to the shores of Alabama or FL’s panhandle, but when I heard on the news that prices where great, because they need business, I actually took out my computer to see the deals. I would have went if the airfares were cheap too, but it seems the airlines are not thinking the same as the hotels and restaurants. They actually would have had me as a tourist when I typically would not go if it had all fallen into place. And, the hotel prices did not look like a super great deal, but prices were reasonable. But, I kind of wonder in the back of m mind if tourism simply has been down with the economy and all, as it has been, even without the spill, so this is an opportunity to boost it again.

I am not tring to be overly critical, and I want the gulf coast to do well and be prosperous. Just was wondering what others thought. In the end, push come to shove I would come down on the side of doing the advertising I think.

Thanks everbody for answering.