Walton County Tourism’s mission to promote the county as a whole is officially in play, with vibrant new branding you’ll be seeing everywhere you go. Building awareness of attractions above the Choctawhatchee Bay with audiences who already know and love our beaches adds another layer of enticement to get out and explore. The three resulting brands–one regional tourism brand and two destination brands–are each distinctive while remaining easily recognizable as a cohesive family. Walton County Tourism, South Walton and Beyond the Beach each have their own look and feel but draw from the same color palette and graphic style. Together, they cover the entire destination and speak to the unique appeal of South Walton’s 16 beach neighborhoods as well as the historic sites and natural beauty above the Choctawhatchee Bay. Creative marketing combined with engaging social media makes the destination shine bright and gives event planning experts even more resources to tailor custom experiences for each visitor.
So, what exactly differentiates each of the three brands from the others? As a county-wide tourism brand, Walton County Tourism provides a strong, united identity for the entire destination, from South Walton’s 16 beach neighborhoods to Freeport, Paxton and DeFuniak Springs above the Bay. It promotes each, while encouraging visitors to explore all of Walton County while they’re here. Fixtures like the Visitor Center and the Destination Marketing Organization, which were formerly under the name umbrella “Visit South Walton,” are now name-aligned with “Walton County Tourism.” Wherever the 26 miles of coastline and beach neighborhoods are being promoted or referenced, you’ll see the South Walton, Florida, brand and logo identity, ensuring the brand equity the area has built over the years remains powerful, relevant and instantly recognizable. When promoting the communities specific to the area above the Choctawhatchee Bay, the new Beyond the Beach brand and its accompanying logo will be used.
Locals are absolutely central to the three brands, having cultivated the look, personality and lifestyle that make Walton County such a special place. In addition to reaching visitors, Walton County Tourism is focused on centralizing transparent communication and updates for residents and partners, ensuring you’re in the know and able to stay involved. Following Beyond the Beach, South Walton and Walton County Tourism on social channels gives you an opportunity to share and promote those special places guests may not have discovered yet, build stronger local economies and stay informed.
The tourism department’s Facebook (Facebook.com/WaltonCountyTourism) and LinkedIn (LinkedIn.com/Company/WaltonCountyTourism) channels were launched in February 2023, joining the Walton County Line Locals Newsletter and WaltonCountyLine.com as access points for locals, all working in tandem to keep you updated on opportunities, breaking news, events, local interest spotlights and more. Walton County Tourism’s spring break calendar, for instance, lets you know when to expect the biggest crowds, helping you prepare for each influx of visitors. Check out that calendar at VisitSouthWalton.com/School-Calendar.
Launched alongside the Walton County Tourism Department’s brand roll-out, Beyond the Beach social media kicked off with official Facebook (Facebook.com/BeyondTheBeachWaltonFL) and Instagram (Instagram.com/BeyondTheBeachWaltonFL) accounts highlighting the charm and character of the three communities beyond the beach–Freeport, Paxton and DeFuniak Springs–aided by the branded hashtag #BTBWaltonFL. Though Walton County residents already know their neighbors on the other side of the Bay, this is an exciting opportunity to introduce them to a wider audience. Chock full of quaint appeal, history and beautiful natural landscape (not to mention the shops and dining), outings beyond the beach are a worthwhile addition to any itinerary. For those with an architectural itch to scratch, tours of beautiful Victorian homes and former Chautauqua Assembly buildings are sure to please, and every nature lover should make at least one trek to the world-class E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, nestled within a vast nature preserve. Explore Morrison Springs, a 161-acre park with a crystal-clear, spring-fed pool that attracts divers and eco-tourists, along with everyday casual swimmers. Beyond the Beach, guests find the perfect balance of hospitality, history, nature and culture…all within reach of the beach.
For an even deeper dive into the branding evolution of Walton County Tourism, Beyond the Beach and South Walton, follow along on social channels and learn how these entities work together to promote the destination.
