HORRY COUNTY, SC -- Pre-Easter occupancy rates on the Grand Strand show travel plans haven't slowed down, despite an increase in gas prices.
"This year, right now, we are 80 to 85 percent occupied," Taylor Damonte, Director of Coastal Carolina University's Clay Brittain Jr. Center for Resort Tourism, said. "This is the busiest pre-Easter week that I've seen so far and I've been doing this for eight years."
According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report the National average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline had risen to $3.84 on Friday. However, Damonte said because an increase in fuel prices is caused by issues like those in the Middle East, travel events aren't immediately impacted. "Long term, the increases could have an impact on the domestic economy or disposable income within the United States. That impact takes six months to a year," Damonte said.
Myrtle Beach businesses typically look to the Easter holiday to gain a relative idea of visitation during the summer. It's a weekend that's impacted by a lot of different issues. "Most importantly, is where Easter falls on the calendar. This is the latest in the year that Easter can fall. Coinciding with that, is the spring break calendar. Many counties in our origin are also on spring break," Damonte added.
Weather also plays a factor in short term travel plans. "Based on the forecast we expect to see strong last minute bookings. The average occupancy rate will be near or above 95 percent. It's encouraging that we are going to have a strong summer with numbers this strong," Damonte said.
