Grand Strand hotels and vacation rentals are expecting a busy holiday weekend, better than for last year's Memorial Day.

According to Gary Loftus of Coastal Carolina University's Center for Economic and Community Development, early numbers show hotel occupancy should be in the 80 to 85 percent range for the Memorial Day weekend, which would be up a couple of percentage points from last year.

Loftus says falling gas prices will get some of the credit for the better numbers, though he says the impact is more in travelers' minds than their pocketbooks.

"We figure for about a 400 mile trip, burning 20 gallons of regular is maybe $30 dollars more than it would have been last year, but that's about it. So it's more mental than it is financial."

Loftis says there are indications that the Memorial Day Bikefest, the Chamber of Commerce-marketed Mayfest and the city of Myrtle Beach's Military Appreciation Days will all have a hand in attracting visitors.

"All of the above and some more than others," Loftus said.

Though Military Appreciation Days is a newer festival, Loftus says it's starting to attract a following.

"With what's been going on worldwide, there's more of a recognition and realization of what Memorial Day is really all about, and it's not just another three day holiday and I think people are beginning to recognize that."

The owner of Boardwalk Coffee House on 9th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach is anticipating a strong weekend, with plenty of bikers, but other tourists as well.

"I really think it's a mixture of both, a combination," said Rick Sarver. "A lot of families coming in. But the events have helped a lot, too, just having the special events out on the old Pavilion site has brought in a lot of business as well."

Sarver said other oceanfront merchants have told him their business so far this year is up 30 to 40 percent over last year.