Read more: Local, Biker, Numbers, Down, Myrtle Beach, Anti Rally Laws, Harley Rally, Motorcyles
A lot of people this month are wondering, will biker numbers be down this year because of Myrtle Beach's new anti-rally laws? One way to find out would be to look at hotel occupancy rates.
The survey from Coastal Carolina University shows hotel occupancy will be down this weekend. But, is that because bikers are staying home due to the anti-rally laws? Or is it just another sign of a poor economy? The theme of this year's rally is, no one knows for sure.
Steve Chapman runs two hotels in Myrtle Beach. The newer upscale Island Vista has had little biker business in the past while the older, smaller Driftwood Lodge is a biker favorite. How do they compare this year? At the Island Vista, Chapman says business this weekend will be about the same as last year. But at the Driftwood, Chapman says, "We're down actually about 50 percent."
It could just be because of the recession. But, Chapman doesn't think so. "I'm sure that a good bit of it has to do with the rule changes."
Gary Loftus of C.C.U.'s Center for Economic Development says overall, hotel occupancy on the Grand Strand this weekend will be down 25 to 30 percent compared to last year.
He says it's hard to say whether that's because of new anti-rally laws or a bad economy.
Loftus says bikers may specifically avoid hotels within Myrtle Beach city limits, preferring properties outside the city. "We know they're probably renting more vacation homes than normally would have done, mainly because of that 'Not a Dime in '09 in Myrtle Beach' type thing," said Loftus.
There's one encouraging sign.
While numbers for this weekend are way down, Loftus says the hotel survey shows, for future weeks this summer, occupancy is close to what it was last year.
"We think the season's going to be obviously not great and if we equal last year, we'll consider it a victory."
Both men say predictions are harder this year because people are making more last minute travel decisions.
So if the weather is good, the numbers could come up and be closer to last year's Last year, about 250,000 visitors came to the area during the ten-day Harley Rally.
