Official Airline Guides....

SANDESTIN AND THE BEACHES OF

SOUTH WALTON OFFER A DIFFERENT

FLORIDA FOR AGENTS TO SELL

Destin, Fla.--Agents are constantly looking for new places to promote and new sources of commissions. This is especially true for tourism in Florida, where a hot spot can generate lots of commissions for airline and hotel bookings. Sandestin and the Beaches of South Walton offer one of those hot spots.

Located on Florida's northwest gulf coast between Panama City and Fort Walton Beach, the area features a collection of pristine and peaceful beaches along 26 miles of the Gulf of Mexico. For agents and clients, it's still very much undiscovered.

Sandestin Resort (800-277-0800 or 904-267-8150) is a success story that typifies the possibilities of the Beaches of South Walton. Under the new ownership of Malaysia-based Sime Darby, Sandestin has undergone major improvements in the last year, including new construction, renovation, and many service improvements.

The 2,300-acre resort and residential community is located eight miles east of Destin. It includes 45 holes of challenging golf, 14 tennis courts, a 98-slip marina, two waterfront restaurants, a Sports/Spa & Clinic, a large and recently-renovated conference center, and 600 luxurious accommodations on beach and bayfront property.

The Sandestin experience is an easy sale for agents, with lots of packages and surprisingly inexpensive high- and low-season rates (starting at just $81) for accommodations ranging from small suites to four-bedroom units. Agents booking clients at Sandestin should recommend the resort's signature restaurant, Elephant Walk, for a fine dining experience with a great view.

The rest of the area is an equally easy sale. The South Walton Tourist Development Council (800-822-6877 or 904-267-1216) is efficiently promoting the area and serves as a valuable resource to travel agents.

From cottages by the sea to other world-class resorts, the area offers a number of commissionable accommodations possibilities. Seaside is the most highly-acclaimed option, with its pink, yellow, blue, and green cottages rising out of the Florida scrub like a pastel mirage. These cottages are available for rent (800-635-0296 or 904-231-4224).

Agents should also explore these other commissionable accommodations possibilities: Frangista Beach Inn (904-654-5501), the Sandestin Beach Hilton (800-367-1271 or 904-267-9500), or Tops'l Beach and Racquet Club (800-476-9222 or 904/267-9222). Abbott Realty (800-336-4853 or 904-837-4853) and Dune-Allen Realty (800-423-7433 or 904-267-2121) also offer hundreds of resort properties for rent.

The area is also incredibly rich with surprisingly excellent dining options. Along with the Elephant Walk at Sandestin, agents can't go wrong with recommending: Bayou Bill's Crab House (904-267-3849 or 904-231-1400), Chan's Market Cafe Deli & Bakery at Sandestin (904-837-1334), Grayton Corner Cafe (904-231-1211), Le Bleau's Cajun Kitchen (904-267-3724), or Prescott's Restaurant & Bar (904-837-1223). The two hottest restaurants in the area are Bud & Alley's Restaurant (904-231-5900) and Criolla's Restaurant (904-267-1267). Bud & Alley's features the excellent American regional fare of chef Irv Miller, while Criolla's offers Creole/Caribbean cuisine from the kitchen of Johnny Earles.

Along with great beaches, resorts, and restaurants, the Beaches of South Walton offer many diversions. Agents should recommend the excellent fishing and boating, shopping at Grayton Beach and Seaside, and visits to the peaceful Grayton Beach State Recreation Area and the Eden mansion.

The Beaches of South Walton area is served by three airports: Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City-Bay County Muncipal Airport. American Eagle offers excellent service into the area, as well as possibilities with Delta, Northwest, and USAir.