Sandestin sale being negotiated [Update: Sold to Becnel Family]

[30ashopper]

There ya go. Is this good or bad birthday news for 30A shopper?

Hmm, Intrawest has done some great things to improve the resort but they've also let some other key things go. For example, first time I heard about BayTown I thought they were crazy. In retrospect it was quite visionary. On the flip side, they've given the place this feel, kinda like Disney Land, and they've let some important things go, like the golf courses. So I wouldn't mind seeing them sell it. I think a local owner who understands the market and history better would be a good thing, Intrawest is too far removed to understand the impact they're having. It feels like they are applying some sort of cookie cutter concept and I'd prefer something a little more 'personal'.

 

[aggieb]

Hmm, Intrawest has done some great things to improve the resort but they've also let some other key things go. For example, first time I heard about BayTown I thought they were crazy. In retrospect it was quite visionary. On the flip side, they've given the place this feel, kinda like Disney Land, and they've let some important things go, like the golf courses. So I wouldn't mind seeing them sell it. I think a local owner who understands the market and history better would be a good thing, Intrawest is too far removed to understand the impact they're having. It feels like they are applying some sort of cookie cutter concept and I'd prefer something a little more 'personal'.

what course?

 

[30ashopper]

what course?

The Links course has really gone down hill quite a bit over the last seven or so years.

 

[teamc]

Wow. That is certainly breaking news.

Just curious- are Sandestin homeowners kept in the loop on these happenings, or do they find out this kind of news with the general public?

i'm a sandestin homeowner and i found out about it here. that's pretty much how they handle things here. i don't expect it to get much better, but only worse, if becnel buys it. he'll probably chop it up. baytowne is a pretty typical concept and not at all revolutionary, it's succeeded EVERYWHERE, and the fact that sandestin couldn't make it work is a testament to how hard you have to work to really fail the way they do. it's hilarious that just when they came up with this unmarketed marketing "sandestination" concept that links grandboulevard to the resort to silver sands, they also stopped running the trams from one place to the other. there is no other way to say it. these people are IDIOTS.

 

[DuneLaker]

Too bad some 30A, South Walton or Walton County group that understands the value of Sandestin and its unique location in South Walton can't get control. Too many outsiders just don't get it and miss the unique marketing aspects of the area.

 

[teamc]

Too bad some 30A, South Walton or Walton County group that understands the value of Sandestin and its unique location in South Walton can't get control. Too many outsiders just don't get it and miss the unique marketing aspects of the area.

actually, i think the locals don't get the best ways to market sandestin. or the area as a whole. case in point, 'THE beach' or 'beaches of south walton'.

i have NEVER seen a good marketing concept or strategy and definitely not seen any thorough execution of tourism marketing here. outsiders who travel frequently and know the travel business get exactly what makes this place unique, and may be more adept at communicating it to other 'outsiders' aka 'potential tourists'.

 

[DuneLaker]

actually, i think the locals don't get the best ways to market sandestin. or the area as a whole. case in point, 'THE beach' or 'beaches of south walton'.

i have NEVER seen a good marketing concept or strategy and definitely not seen any thorough execution of tourism marketing here. outsiders who travel frequently and know the travel business get exactly what makes this place unique, and may be more adept at communicating it to other 'outsiders' aka 'potential tourists'.

Your reasoning is faulty as a majority of real locals didn't come up with that horrible "The Beach" theme. Hopefully, it will just die a natural death and South Walton can go on being its beautiful successful self. Most of the people on that committee live in another county, not Walton. Even if some of them work here, they have really never bothered to get to know the real Walton County and are just trying to shove down their perception of a fake Florida down our throats.

There are actually a few development companies that show some corporate ability to successfully manage Sandestin and have made a real attempt to understand South Walton and Walton County. Maybe they will get a chance. And I'll stand by my statement that most outside development / marketing companies don't know or appreciate the true natural assets and historical selling points of South Walton and Walton County.

I am sorry you've had a rough time lately with your management issues and truly wish you the best and great success. Looking to Okaloosa County for development help, may not be the answer, however. Their current troubles are legendary and quite infamous now. I like Sandestin, Miramar Beach and it will be successful in South Walton and Walton County.

 

[wrobert]

Your reasoning is faulty as a majority of real locals didn't come up with that horrible "The Beach" theme. Hopefully, it will just die a natural death and South Walton can go on being its beautiful successful self. Most of the people on that committee live in another county, not Walton. Even if some of them work here, they have really never bothered to get to know the real Walton County and are just trying to shove down their perception of a fake Florida down our throats.

There are actually a few development companies that show some corporate ability to successfully manage Sandestin and have made a real attempt to understand South Walton and Walton County. Maybe they will get a chance. And I'll stand by my statement that most outside development / marketing companies don't know or appreciate the true natural assets and historical selling points of South Walton and Walton County.

I am sorry you've had a rough time lately with your management issues and truly wish you the best and great success. Looking to Okaloosa County for development help, may not be the answer, however. Their current troubles are legendary and quite infamous now. I like Sandestin, Miramar Beach and it will be successful in South Walton and Walton County.

I get confused very easily but since Sandestin is marketing to out of area folks in an attempt to get them to come here, would it not be better for people like that to market to the clientele that they understand? Why do they need to understand Walton County natives. I do not see many of us staying at their resorts, we all live here already and have places to stay.

 

[teamc]

I get confused very easily but since Sandestin is marketing to out of area folks in an attempt to get them to come here, would it not be better for people like that to market to the clientele that they understand? Why do they need to understand Walton County natives. I do not see many of us staying at their resorts, we all live here already and have places to stay.

precisely. apparently, that's considered "faulty" logic. however, for example, locals are constantly doing publicity and advertising that promotes sandestin as a 'family' resort. marketing means that there is an operational component of the brand that is being promoted. i don't deny that locals may perceive the resort as "family friendly". however, on a national and international level successful family resorts have child-friendly amenities (restaurants that don't require waits and can accomodate children, water parks, classes, daytime events-not a village full of drunkards and loud music), are all-inclusive, have concierge services specifically for families (gear, activity booking, even rent-a-dog! etc), have safety and staffing meant to create a secure stay for families (childcare, lifeguards). and..at the very least..a clean environment..read some online reviews of the resort by tourist families to get some idea of how people feel about that.

i'm not renting my home, so the fact that sandestin is marketing themselves poorly, affects me in no way at all. in fact, the more they fail, the more i can enjoy peace and quiet! it's just painful to watch!

intrawest was not a good fit obviously because they simply never paid attention and fortress bought intrawest for its ski villages, so sandestin was never relevant to them. but it would be interesting to see what an 'outsider' (not a word i would choose, but it does give one insight about the mentality) with a true interest and lots of success in the travel world would do.

 

[DuneLaker]

We've not quite connected on these short messages. Sandestin needs to market its connection to the beautiful beaches of South Walton. The new airport in Panama City is just a short drive from Sandestin. Sandestin is also close to the airport in Okaloosa County. You are nicely situated in the middle for success. With cruise possibilities being discussed with the new Panama City - Bay County airport, the opportunities will be fantastic.

If people desire to come to the best beaches on the Emerald Coast, and imho, in Florida for that matter, they will come to South Walton. People are interested in the environment and unique ecosystems. People want to relax. Walton County has about 26 miles of beaches, a number of these miles are state and county parks of premier and award winning quality that can deliver. Many more of these miles are fronted by first class resorts. Part of Sandestin's marketing problem might be that some still try and connect it to Destin instead of its true place with South Walton and Miramar Beach. Destin has nice people, some of its own unique features and some beach left, but, with all humbleness, our beaches in South Walton are better, we're more historical, and have unique features they don't. The Destin harbor is suffering from a number of issues and overbuilt developments, which I'm not going to belabor here. Sandestin in Miramar Beach has a great harbor on the Choctawhatchee Bay and can offer wonderful opportunities. Sandestin guests can go in a number of directions for that unique deep sea fishing experience. They can go to Destin in the next county over. They could go out from their own dock in Sandestin in Miramar Beach in South Walton. They could go to Panama City Beach. They could get with some locals and go out from the beach in South Walton or just get rigged up and a license and fish right from the shore.

South Walton has the Coastal Dune Lakes, a unique configuration of at least 15. This is globally rare and a draw. Kayak and bike rental businesses are doing well. The international, national and nearby driving vacationer will come here for this beautiful and unique experience. The different resorts and communities can then micro-market to price range and other amenities such as golf, shopping nearby, transportation assistance, culture and art, child programs, etc. A trained and professional staff will be essential.

The history of the area is also yet to be fully appreciated. The shoulder visitor is interested in short day trips to explore and learn about the area. Even at Disney World, you have Epcot and learning experiences that attracts some that aren't interested in riding all the wild attractions. People get sunburned, tired, or grandma needs a break and different attractions to visit.

Walton County is situated in the middle of the Emerald Coast -- from Pensacola to Appalachicola. For that international visitor that might be planning a trip to Florida, Walton County is nicely situated in the middle of the Emerald Coast. Day trips east or west could be easily planned, keeping resorts such as Sandestin or those along 30A as their beautiful beach home base.

If the traveler wants a fake Florida experience, then it is going to be hard to compete with Disney World. Where South Walton, Walton County and the Emerald Coast wins is by promoting its authentic treasures, great beaches, fishing, vast and many parks, culture, original art, eco-tourism, heritage and historical venues.

My point earlier, is that many outside marketing companies do not, at this time, fully appreciate our truly superior beaches, coastal dune lakes, parks, eco-tourism, heritage and historical venues.

Then, we need to get the service issues pulled up to first rate. Some issues of which wrobert pointed out.

Just trying to help. Some of these issues are addressed on other threads for different reasons by many people. People truly love 30A, South Walton and Walton County.

We have marketing people right here in this region that understand demographics and marketing research as well as someone from Atlanta, etc. Some of them probably lived in Atlanta, New York, etc. at some point. The local marketers bonus could be to really know what they are marketing so that the visitor will have a good, authentic experience and become a repeat visitor. Maybe they could form some partnerships. Just because someone lives out of the area now, doesn't make them smarter or better. IMHO, we not only have the best beaches and other unique venues that will attract visitors, we have some of the best people to do that right here. Got to go. Again, good luck, all the best, and I'm confident you'll be okay. These are just some thoughts off the top of my head.