Myrtle Beach Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week: A Journey Through 'Travel Then and Now'
Longtime visitors to Myrtle Beach often recall its origins as a quaint beach town. The evolution over the decades has been extraordinary.
In 2016, Myrtle Beach welcomed a record 18.6 million visitors. The area boasts about 157,000 rental rooms in peak season, 1,800 full-service restaurants, 2.7 million annual rounds of golf, and seven live theaters with 7,500 seats.
One constant remains: the tourism industry's warm welcome to visitors from near and far, establishing it as a cornerstone of the local economy.
Nationally, travel ranks as a top-10 employer in 49 states and the District of Columbia. It's the U.S.'s second-largest export through international visitors. One in nine Americans relies on travel-related jobs, supporting 15.6 million positions and generating a $2.4 trillion industry.
In 2017, travel contributed $75.6 billion in state and local tax revenue—enough to fund all police and firefighters or 1.25 million public school teachers nationwide (preschool through K-12).
For Myrtle Beach, tourism delivers a profound impact. Coastal Carolina University reports a $7 billion economic boost, $2.2 billion in labor income, and 83,000 jobs in the community.
Imagine visiting Myrtle Beach in 1960: mom-and-pop shops, tour operators, hotels, and restaurants buzzing with shag dancers and beach music fans. Fast-forward to 2018: entertainment has expanded, yet small businesses—84% of travel-related enterprises—thrive on tourism.
This legacy underscores the importance of inviting visitors to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. During National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) 2018, May 6-12, the industry spotlights "Travel Then and Now." Join the celebration of tourism's vital role in Myrtle Beach and the nation.
Here's how to participate:
- Contact your member of Congress to highlight travel's significance to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
- Get social using the #NTTW18 hashtag on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
National Travel and Tourism Week is a powerful movement affirming travel as a key U.S. economic driver and essential to Myrtle Beach life. Learn more about its impact on the Grand Strand at www.TourismWorksForUs.com.
