PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – As summer winds down, Panama City Beach tourism officials say the season was a bit quieter than usual.

According to the Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council, tourism collections were slightly down compared to last summer. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) also saw a dip in travel, with a 3% decrease in passenger traffic in June.

But ECP Airport Director Parker McClellan said the trend isn’t unique to Bay County.

“So as we look at numbers from across the Panhandle, they are very similar,” McClellan said. “But if you talk to other airports, which I have, around the country, everybody’s travel is down this summer.”

McClellan said shifting travel habits may be part of the reason, though many passengers still find flying the most convenient option.

“You get there faster, and I don’t know, you can probably take more people with you,” said passenger Mercedes Erickson. “It’s easier than having to load up the car.”

Despite the June slowdown, McClellan said the airport is still seeing growth overall for the year.

“In the future, based on our passenger traffic, we know that there’s a demand to come to the beaches of Northwest Florida,” he said.

That demand is helping fuel the airport’s expansion efforts. ECP currently has several projects in progress, including a terminal expansion that will add 80,000 square feet to the facility.

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