Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of tourist season, and it didn't take long for Highway 501, the main thoroughfare into Myrtle Beach, to reach bumper-to-bumper status.
Tourists were headed to town mostly for one thing... the beach.
"It's nothing like a lake. It's nothing like the mountains. It's the beach and the whole strip of attractions and a whole lot of people," said Dre Murray of Greenville, NC.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists are expected to vacation on the Grand Strand this weekend.
The amount of people coming this year compared to last year is growing, according to Coastal Carolina University tourism expert Taylor Damonte.
"Advanced bookings and vacation rental properties seem to actually be up this upcoming week compared to last year by about seven percent," Damonte said.
Damonte's forecast shows occupancy rates at the beach equal the amounts before the recession - with occupancy rates on Saturday at around 99 percent.
"We're busy Memorial Day Weekend every year of course, but it seems we've gotten a little busier over the last two years."
Advertising for the Grand Strand is reaching an entirely new market than before, which brings new visitors in and old visitors back.
"We're advertising in over 70 markets across the country," said Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Nora Battle. "So, that television advertising plays a huge roll in bringing first time visitors to the Myrtle Beach area."
CCU's occupancy rates are based on a sample of 29 lodging facilities and campgrounds in the area.
