NASCAR SpeedPark opened to a good crowd.
/ Marc Liverman
Myrtle Beach, S.C. (WPDE) - Tourism season is underway all over the Grand Strand.
Saturday, NASCAR SpeedPark kicked off their the 2013 season and a local business say big attractions like the park are a big help.
Marketing and Events Coordinator Rebecca Feagin said she hopes the attraction continues to improve tourism in the area, especially as the weather gets warmer.
"We tend to be busy around spring break. It picks up around there which this year is going to be towards end of March and then really mid June through mid August is really the height of our season just like about the rest of the attractions in the area," said Feagin.
Feagin added Myrtle Beach is a great place to set up shop.
"This just seemed to lend itself to this area and something that has never been here before," she said.
Local businesses like Wacky T's are also reaping the benefits. Manager Michael Vera said bigger businesses like NASCAR SpeedPark do make a difference when it comes to foot traffic in the store.
"All the businesses help but Nascar opening today probably is why there's a bunch more people on the boulevard today. I see a lot more walking, a lot more traffic," said Vera.
Vera said if last year is any indicator for this upcoming season, this year should be a strong year for tourism.
"Last year picked up, we had the Skywheel of course, the Skywheel came in. It brought people, we have that new candy store coming in, that's going to bring a lot of people in hopefully this year. I mean, it's building up around here a lot," he said. "It's really exciting. It's going to be a lot more people, a lot more traffic. It's very very exciting. Everybody's happy about the growth."
