Locals can help make tourist season one to remember

Let the traffic flow!
While that statement will certainly draw the ire of many, we all must understand that like it or not the economy of our little piece of paradise depends on the vibrancy of our tourist trade. Higher traffic counts remain a sign of the health of the tourism business.
And that business can be even better with the help of those of us who live here.
Let’s start with traffic. In the best of times traffic during peak season sometimes moves at a snail’s pace. When you live on a narrow sand bar like South Walton, travel options are minimal so we all end up crowded onto one basic, main thoroughfare.
Traffic on Hwy. 98 creeps when it’s sunny and all but stops when it’s raining. Yes, it’s maddening. Our task as locals is to remain calm and even helpful when an opportunity presents itself.
How can we help? When a visitor finds himself in the wrong lane and needing to make a turn, watch for blinkers and allow him to cross. That allows traffic to keep flowing. More importantly it sends a message of kindness and cooperation to our visitors. They remember things like that.
Let’s also be helpful with directions and information. If you see or overhear someone struggling with directions or how to find something, kindly lend your local expertise instead of turning a deaf ear. Be as precise as you can with your information to get them to their destination as easily as possible. Just the word of appreciation that you receive will make your day.
And in any other circumstance, put yourself in the shoes (or footprints as it may be) and consider how you’d like to be treated. Most of us have found ourselves in unfamiliar territory at some time in our lives. Often it’s the total stranger who helps us out or simply makes us feel welcome on their home turf.
Be that total stranger to our visitors this year. Do your part to help make their visit one to remember.