Great year for tourism says City Manager

August 29, 2012 North Myrtle Beach, SC – The City of North Myrtle Beach just released hospitality and accommodation tax figures for the current fiscal year ending June 30.  City Manager Mike Mahaney said the figures represent the highest ever collected.  The amount, over $4.5 milllion, exceeds last year’s number by 5.1% and by 6% of the previous high set in FY 2008.

Hotelier Harold Worley, Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort, commented that he has had a good season observing that business is up about 5%. 

When other communities are struggling, North Myrtle Beach has continued to attract programs that grow the tourism industry and expand the shoulder season.   Notable ones include the American Power Lifting Federation (APF) competition, the South Carolina Masters Swim Meet, and the United States Basketball Association (USBA) national championship tournament.  This  past year, according to the city, thirty-seven events were scheduled that included NCSI Collegiate Spring Training, Southeastern Regional Wheelchair Games, AAU Youth Softball, and the Beach Blast Wheelchair Basketball Tournament among others. The three-week USBA event brought in over 250 teams, their coaches, support people and families and generated around $6 million in economic benefit for the area.

“As we book these events, the bottom line is they generate local accommodation tax revenues.  That’s why the Sports Complex is key. It will allow us to expand the shoulder season and make it easier for the local people that have to travel to participate in event.  We can hold them here. With the continued investments in infrastructure to support tourism, we expect to see hospitality and tourism tax revenue to grow conservatively 3% per year,” commented Mahaney.