MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) joined the U.S. travel industry May 7-13, 2023, to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW).

“Tourism is not only the driving force of our economy, providing significant impact to our local and statewide tax base, but the leisure and hospitality amenities the region offers provides us residents with an unmatched quality of life. This week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the advantages that tourism brings us all,” said MBACC and CVB President and CEO Karen Riordan.

Highlights from the week included the following:

May 8: Members of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and CVB traveled to Columbia, S.C., to meet with tourism industry leaders from across the state as Gov. Henry McMaster declared May 7-13 Travel and Tourism Week in South Carolina. “Our industry offers opportunities for so many career paths, so it's not all that surprising that one in 10 jobs in South Carolina support tourism,” said Duane Parrish, director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT). “We're a powerful driver of economic progress, historical preservation, and even conservation.”

May 9: TripAdvisor released its list of “Top 10 Most Searched Summer Destinations” with Myrtle Beach placing second overall behind Orlando and ranking as the top beach destination. Company officials made the announcement from Myrtle Beach's Island Vista Resort where they gave satellite interviews to national TV markets discussing the appeal of The Beach.

May 10: SCPRT Director Duane Parrish joined MBACC and CVB staff and members, as well as city and county leaders at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach to announce the Myrtle Beach Classic, a new golf tournament on the PGA TOUR's FedExCup to run 2024 through 2027. The tournament is expected to have a multimillion-dollar impact on the local economy each year.

May 11: Travel industry professionals from across the Grand Strand gathered at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach where chamber and CVB staff held their annual Visit Myrtle Beach NTTW Update. During the event, experts at Google Travel Team, TripAdvisor, MMGY and others revealed travel insights and emerging trends. “The event allowed us to share ideas on how our destination can continue to be a leader in U.S. travel and provide world-class hospitality,” said Visit Myrtle Beach's Chief Marketing Officer Stuart Butler. Discussions included the emergence of customized trip planning tools and AI (artificial intelligence), sustainable travel practices like EV (electronic vehicle) infrastructure, and accessibility offerings that provide travel services for those with special abilities.

May 11: Officials with the Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) announced April 2023 set a new record for the airport thanks to another busy spring travel season. MYR Director of Airports Judi Olmstead noted that the region “is a top destination for tourism in the U.S. and our continued growth patterns help demonstrate that the Grand Strand is no longer a 'summer only' destination.”

May 12: The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and CVB unveiled the latest tool for the meetings, conventions and sport events industry. Visit Myrtle Beach's 2023 Group Inspiration Guide provides 58 pages of destination resources designed specifically for group travel, sports events and meeting planners. The free guide is available by request at VisitMyrtleBeach.com or at the Myrtle Beach Visitors Center at 1200 N. Oak Street in Myrtle Beach.

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Editor's Note: Images of Visit Myrtle Beach's NTTW Update on May 11, 2023, available HERE.

About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community — serving Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded MBACC its five-star accreditation — one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and its destination marketing arm Visit Myrtle Beach promote tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the Grand Strand. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com and VisitMyrtleBeach.com.