Local

Brevard looks to ‘boost’ tourism with new ad campaign

With the space program launching into high gear, officials in Brevard County’s tourism industry are looking to attract more visitors.

The Space Coast Office of Tourism just launched a new campaign called “On the Space Coast” that highlights the uniqueness of rocket launches, contrasted with all the great things to do in the area.

Recreational activities like fishing, kayaking and cruising are some of the activities being featured in several new ads that will begin airing on TV.

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Peter Cranis, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism, says the idea is to use the space program as a way to draw visitors in.

“The campaign really emphasizes the fact that you can come to the beach but you can see a launch. You can go kayaking and see a launch. You can go golfing but see a launch,” he said.

Orange County resident Pam Goings said she and her husband plan a lot of their visits around launches.

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“My husband and I love it. He gets on the website to know exactly when the launches are going to happen,” she said.

Like much of the tourism business, the pandemic has taken a toll on tourism along the Space Coast.

Officials say they want to use interest in the space program to showcase the uniqueness of Brevard County.

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“People want to come here and do something they can’t see anywhere else. So, we played that up very well,” Cranis said.

Officials say the campaign will run through the end of March.

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Matt Reeser

Matt Reeser, WFTV.com

Matt Reeser joined WFTV in 1998 as a news photographer and has worked for television stations in Kentucky and West Virginia.