Brevard County's Tourism Office is expanding its beach safety campaign with public service announcements appearing on radio, billboards, and social media. The initiative, which includes messaging at the Visitor Information Center and in the annual Vacation Planner, aims to keep tourists safe as summer travel season approaches. The campaign follows a 2025 report showing a 12% increase in emergency responses at county beaches compared to the previous year.
The Tourism Development Office (TDO) has launched the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Marketing Support Program (MSP), offering grants up to $640,000 for local events and cultural programming. Applications must be submitted by 9 a.m. on June 22, with the Tourism Development Council reviewing proposals in July. The program covers marketing assistance, facility cost reductions, and eligible expense reimbursements for qualifying organizations.
The beach safety campaign includes video displays at the Visitor Information Center in Cocoa Village, where officials say 85% of tourists seek directions. Signs along the coast now warn about rip currents and provide contact information for lifeguards. The TDO partnered with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office to install 15 new emergency call boxes at high-traffic beaches this month.
The Marketing Support Grant application window closes in less than a week, with priority given to proposals that align with the TDO's goal of increasing year-round tourism. Last year's grantees included the Melbourne Beach Food Festival and the Titusville Art Walk. Deborah W, a TDO spokesperson, said the office received 47 applications in 2025, allocating $580,000 across 22 projects. The deadline is 9 a.m. on June 22 for submissions to the Tourism Development Council.