Tourism marketing efforts by Visit Pensacola received three Flagler Awards Monday at the 44th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Hollywood, Fla.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott presented the awards, given annually by the Florida Commission on Tourism, in recognition of outstanding tourism marketing. A Flagler is considered the highest award given for tourism marketing in Florida.

Visit Pensacola received first-place Flagler Awards in Internet Advertising and for its Website, VisitPensacola.com. The CVB also received a second-place award for its use of Facebook.

“This is recognition of the hard work that has been done this year by everyone in the Pensacola Bay Area’s tourism industry,” said Laura Lee, director of communications for Visit Pensacola. “Coming on the heels of what has been the most successful tourism season in our history, these awards are an affirmation that all of us in Escambia County tourism are looking ahead, growing and reflecting the exciting dynamics of our industry.”

The Flaglers, according the award’s criteria, are given each year to tourism marketing and promotion agencies in Florida that exhibit “…skill, resourcefulness, creativity and innovative spirit to market Florida to the world…”

“We have worked diligently to make sure we remain on the forward edge of the ever-evolving technology of tourism marketing,” she said. “The awards in these particular categories are an affirmation that we are pushing our message out as effectively as possible.”

The Pensacola Bay Area has reported record-high lodging revenues in almost every month since the fall of 2010. Revenues reported so far in 2011 indicate the area is on track to record its strongest tourism year ever.

For more information about the Pensacola Bay Area or to request a visitor guide, call Visit Pensacola at (800) 874-1234 or (850) 434-1234 or go online to www.VisitPensacola.com.