COLOMBIA, SC (WCSC) – People are already booking their spring and summer holidays in cities along the coast of South Carolina, and experts and industry leaders say the ads are going faster than initially expected.
“So far this year, the weekend visit to the Grand Strand has been good, with an increase in last-minute bookings. We hope that this trend will continue, along with the continuous improvement in the feeling of the traveler, ”said Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Karen Riordan
South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism director Duane Parrish said this is a trend in coastal cities across the state.
Parrish explained that higher temperatures, the promise of greater availability of vaccines in the coming months and people’s high interest in outdoor activities are giving him more confidence that the South Carolina tourism industry will be able to recover. until the end of the summer.
“It’s coming faster than I thought if you asked me three months ago,” said Parrish. “I think the summer, at the rate we’re going, can be a normal summer in terms of occupancy, particularly along the coast,” said Parrish of hotel reservations.
According to the Director of Tourism Analysis at the College of Charleston, Daniel Guttentag, the increased interest in travel can be seen clearly in Charleston County.
“We are seeing hotel occupancy numbers over the weekend that are better than we have seen in months and months,” said Guttentag. “This is a great indicator because weekend trips are being conducted by tourists, leisure travelers, and not by business travelers,” he added.
He said last weekend, occupation fell just 10 percent compared to the same period last year, which was before the pandemic caused companies to close. Guttentag said that in the previous weekends there was a difference of at least 20% between the current and previous occupancy rates.
“I am very confident that we will continue to see this quite regularly from now on, as we go on spring break and summer break,” said Guttentag.
Parrish explained that even if people are not traveling this month or next, he is seeing evidence that travelers are already making reservations for the summer months. He said that while the statewide lack of COVID-19 regulations on companies is an advantage, some still plan to follow federal guidelines for their customers.
“I think the travel industry in the state is happy that we don’t have restrictions now, smart operators continue to follow the COVID protocols to make you feel safe … the cabin fever is on the rise, people are ready to leave, especially with the warmer weather, ”he said.
However, short-term rentals are also experiencing a recent business boom.
According to Guttentag, short-term rental companies like Airbnb and VRBO are not only reaching pre-pandemic reserve levels, but exceeding them.
In February, short-term rentals were more than 15% more popular than February of the previous year, a gap that is only increasing over time, he said.
“I heard that during the summer it’s getting more and more difficult, if not impossible, to get a vacation rental for the summer, so I think Airbnbs and VRBOs will have one of the best summers of all time along the Carolina coast. South, ”Guttentag said.
He said that while the coast has the fastest recovery, cities like Columbia and Greenville will also see an increase in tourism as temperatures rise and more people are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Parrish said that despite the restrictions, the renewed interest in traveling is allowing businessmen to breathe a sigh of relief.
“This is what they waited for almost a year … Now, we see a light at the end of the tunnel and it is getting brighter. And I think it will continue through the spring, ”said Parris.
According to CDC guidelines, masks, social distance and frequent hand washing are still recommended, even if you are outdoors.
The CDC also recommends staying active when you are outdoors and not sitting in a place in the park or on the beach.
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