Airport for Tourism?

The next industry to support the area is tourism.

If you're interested in investing in the panhandle, the better returns will be over in Destin (just to the west, I own one there), and then Panama City Beach to the east (the least luxury of the 3 areas, but the tourism numbers vs purchase prices are tough to beat!)

Agri-tourism or ?

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The problem with Costa Rica and Puerto Rico is that it is already an established tourism destination for surfing and I want to hit the best up and coming location so I can grow my real estate investments.... some good examples of well established surf destinations that were not "popular" and "surf tourist destinations" a decade ago is Nosara, Costa Rica and Rincon, Puerto Rico...

And since the Smoky Mountain area economy has been relying on the commerce of short term cabin rentals and tourism since the 60's, we feel pretty confident it would be one of the last municipalities to ever crack down on short term renting.  

Likewise, in my area part-time (PT) agents are considered "Lesser", which is a perception embraced by FT agents to discount PT agents.

Basing an STR on tourism or a large industry that uses traveling/temporary workers is a better idea.

It's more affordable and I think there is still enough tourism and business travel to make it profitable.