Myrtle Beach International Airport Bans Car Sharing Business, Turo
MYRTLE BEACH – Situated in Horry County, South Carolina, Myrtle Beach International Airport has recently prohibited Turo, a key player in the car-sharing market, from operating within its premises. According to a local Turo contractor, this decision is slated to cause significant economic and tourism impact.
Turo’s Disappointment and Economic Consequences
Matthew McCarty, a Surfside Beach resident and contractor, emotionally appealed to the Horry County Council. He questioned, “Every single beach destination along the East Coast from Fort Lauderdale all the way to Long Island can work with Turo. Why can’t Myrtle Beach do it?” The contractor reportedly suffered a loss of $1,700 due to cancellations since the implementation of the ban on August 8.
Turo’s Reactions to the Ban
A spokesperson for Turo, Catherine Meija, expressed that the company was “disappointed” with the airport’s decision. She urged the officials of Myrtle Beach International Airport to reconsider their resolution. Meija pledged Turo’s assistance towards advancing mobility and economic opportunities via peer-to-peer car sharing for all South Carolinians. She highlighted Turo’s successful collaborations with other airports in the state including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville-Spartanburg, and Hilton Head Island as reported on the company’s website.
Ripple Effect on Small Businesses
Due to this ban, local mechanics, insurance companies, car washes and other small businesses that depend on revenue from Turo would also face the grave impact. McCarty warned, “Without us at the airport, it’s going to drive us out of business.” He believes that local economy will continue to suffer as long as this situation persists, emphasizing that it is the Myrtle Beach community that hours.
Matthew McCarty’s Plea to the Horry County Council
McCarty, for whom the 23-vehicle Turo fleet is the only source of income, respectfully pleaded to the county leaders to consider a temporary lift of the ban until a comprehensive solution to the issue is arrived at. It remains to be seen how the airport authorities and the county council will respond to his plea. This is a developing story, so stay tuned to HERE News Network for more updates.
