The tourist industry is still struggling in the Gulf of Mexico, even a year after the BP oil spill. Businesses have been severely affected by this. However, most of them are now quite optimistic that the bad days are well behind them. Most of the tourists who enquire about a trip in the location these days are concerned about whether there is any oil in the waters. Despite the reassurances given to prospective tourists, the number of visitors to the regions is still 25% less than the same time last year.
The ecological disaster has affected the Gulf Coast’s economy badly- oil, fishing and the tourism industry. By last week, at least half a million individuals and businesses had filed cases for economic losses caused by the oil spill and so far nearly $4 billion have been paid in compensations. The reasons why some visitors are still staying away from the area have been attributed to the fragile economy and even the rising gasoline prices. However, in some areas of the Gulf, advertising has helped to lure some tourists back.