Myrtle Beach Businesses Reflect on Slower Summer Season Profit
Laborious Summer for Local Businesses
As the summer season comes to an end on Myrtle Beach’s bustling boardwalk, local businesses express concerns about the slower summer season. “No one’s making money right now; it’s pretty slow,” says local business attendant Jonah Eckert.
A Challenging Yet Optimistic Outlook
In spite of these difficulties, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reported a stronger performance this year than expected considering some challenges. This positivity stems in part from surviving the impacts from the early August Tropical Storm Debby. “While Tropical Storm Debby did indeed impact early August occupancy, the overall summer performance remained strong,” shares Diane Charno, Vice President of Brand and Communications.
Strange Season for Boardwalk Businesses
According to the local businesses along the boardwalk, the season didn’t feel like the usual bustling summer they’ve come to expect. “It’s been a weird year. You know usually it’s busy on the weekends, the weekdays it’s not so much,” says Matan Morovitz, Manager of Unique Gift Shops.
The Economy Affects Tourism
STR’s hotel occupancy statistics do support the concerns raised by local businesses. Both July and August saw a decrease in hotel occupancy compared to the same months last year. “I would say the economy would be why. People don’t want to spend their money as much,” believes Morovitz.
July 2024 Average Occupancy: 76.5%, down 1% YOY
August 2024 Average Occupancy: 64.9%, down 3.4%
Looking Towards The Upcoming Labor Day
With Labor Day weekend fast approaching, businesses hope that they can finish the season on a high note as more people visit before winter sets in. “I think I like interacting with people, I like talking with people, and asking about where they are from if they are on vacation, so I hope it picks up,” says Eckert optimistically.
Myrtle Beach Remains a Summer Beach Hotspot
Despite these concerns, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reaffirms that Myrtle Beach still ranks as a top summer beach destination. However, businesses eagerly anticipate the Labor Day weekend hoping it to not just bring in the summer conclusion but also a much-needed boost in profits.
