Offshore drilling near Florida has caused heated debates along the Emerald Coast. Thursday representatives from Florida’s tourism industry met in Walton County to discuss the pros and cons of potential offshore drilling in the Gulf.

There were some very mixed reviews. Nearly 70 people associated with Florida’s tourism industry listened intently as both sides pleaded their case for and against offshore oil drilling in the Gulf.

This is a topic that potentially could affect everyone along the Emerald Coast.

Tracy Louthain of the Walton Co. T.D.C. says, “We look at something like our number one industry here in Walton County is tourism. It is a billion dollar industry and people come here for our sugar white sand and our emerald green waters and what does this mean to us. Offshore drilling could have major implications and we need to know the facts.”

The executive director of Florida’s petroleum council says the benefits associated with offshore drilling far outweigh the risks.

He claims the industry would bring business to our ports creating jobs that would spark America’s slumping economy.

David Mica, a summit speaker, says, “There are some areas like in Port St. Joe where they are anxiously hoping for that kind of economic development. They're begging us to come and that's a real positive thing for America not only in our own oil and gas but employment for folks in many sectors."

Others at the summit disagreed with mica and said it's time the government start focusing on alternative fuel sources.

Enid Sisskin, another summit speaker, says, “If we want to be energy independent we need to be weaning ourselves off of oil not continuing our dependence on them by continuing to drill.”

Another issue for people opposed to offshore drilling environmental hazards, but Mica says that too isn't a problem.

“The last major oil spill was in 1969 since then technology has changed tremendously. We just don't use the kinds of things that we did back then,” says Mica.

Those opposed to offshore drilling say there's always room for human error. They're afraid one oil spill could ruin our area's beautiful beaches.

“Accidents happen. We need to be precautionary. We need to air on the side of health and the environment if we want to keep our economy which is so based on our environmentally strong.”

Officials with the Tourist Development Council in Walton County say they hope to have another meeting with other local TDC representatives to formulate a stance based off of today's summit.