Interesting facts about the tourism industry along the Grand Strand:
Of the current labor force in Horry County, 37,238 out of 157,162 (or 24 percent) are hospitality industry workers.
According to Visa, Grand Strand visitors account for more than half (66 percent) of all sales tax revenue collected in Horry County.
A penny sales tax is collected in Horry County and funded mostly by visitors. This money is used to support local schools and colleges.
For every $1 invested in tourism-related advertising campaigns on the Grand Strand, $20 in local taxes is generated and $143 in direct spending.
Enjoy 60 miles of beaches, including six distinct beaches & two gorgeous state parks, and explore 14 unique communities – all of which make up the area known as The Grand Strand.
The Grand Strand has more than 80 golf courses, 30 mini golf course, and hosts more than 2.7 million rounds played per year. That's why we're known as the "Golf Capital of the World."
The Myrtle Beach area has more than 2,000 restaurants with top-notch cuisine from all over the world. You could eat out once a week for 34 years and never go to the same restaurant twice!
The Grand Strand has more than 157,000 accommodation units spread out across 425 hotels, plus plenty of resorts, condos and villas. That's on par with the room units of Las Vegas!
Tourism continues to foster significant economic benefit for the Myrtle Beach area. We use a multitude of sources and independent reports to compile an overview of the impact of tourism across the entire Grand Strand region, including 14 communities within Horry and Georgetown Counties.
While some data highlights specific areas of the Grand Strand, we strive to provide a broad perspective of how tourism impacts the entire region. Here’s a look at some of the most recent stats:
Tourism Works For The Grand Strand uses a multitude of sources and independent reports to compile a broad view of the impact of tourism across the entire Grand Strand area. For more insight, check out these resources:
Data collected by South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) agency reveals that the estimated annual economic impact of the tourism industry in the state is more than $30 billion with 1 and 10 people working in hospitality, supporting more than 200,000 jobs in 2024. What's more, tourism-related tax collections reduce the annual tax burden for every resident by nearly $1,000.
“South Carolina’s tourism industry is fueled by our unmatched culture, hospitality, and unrivaled natural treasures, all of which make South Carolina the best state in the country to visit,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Travel and Tourism Week is an opportunity to recognize the tourism industry, and to honor those who work tirelessly to help visitors and citizens discover everything South Carolina has to offer.”
“It has taken the dedicated efforts of many industry professionals across the state to build and grow our more than $30 billion tourism industry,” said Duane Parrish, director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “Each member of our industry plays a critical role in achieving continued year-over-year tourism growth and success. And this certainly includes the hundreds of thousands of hospitality employees all across our state, from the frontline staff we often see at hotels, restaurants, and attractions to the support and management staff who are often less visible to the traveling public. Every one of these roles is critical to our state’s tourism success.”
"Travel is one of our nation's most powerful economic engines—supporting millions of jobs, fueling businesses and propelling industries forward,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “National Travel and Tourism Week reinforces the pivotal role travel plays in building a stronger, more prosperous America."
According to USTA, in 2024 the travel industry contributed $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy and supported 15 million jobs, generating $190 billion in tax revenue — eqiuvalent to $1,490 per household.
For more information on USTA and its economic impact study click below.
Dependent on a robust tourism industry, local hospitality businesses turn to the Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau — also known as Visit Myrtle Beach — to promote The Beach to leisure travelers, groups, meetings, conferences and trade shows, and sporting events.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and CVB is a nonprofit 501(c)6 organization. The CVB’s efforts are critical to support our region’s economy, businesses and employees working in the community, as well as residents that call the Grand Strand home.
Recognized with U.S. Travel Association’s Destiny award in 2021, the CVB used innovative marketing techniques to keep The Beach top-of-mind despite travel declines. New data from the S.C. Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism shows that states like S.C. that were willing to invest marketing dollars sooner recovered quicker.
Promoting The Beach has paid off in recent years with strong visitor spending, tax revenues and economic impact. In turn, local employers are reinvesting back into their businesses more than ever.
Tax revenues help fund infrastructure, education, community services, public safety and more. Property taxes are able to remain low, while job opportunities and quality of life for citizens are enhanced.
