Saturday, Sep. 26, 2009

Group aims to improve tourism in Myrtle Beach area

This week, a team of tourism consultants based in Ireland kicked off a three-month study along the Grand Strand to see how the area can improve its tourism industry.

Tourism Development International - a company made up of British and Irish experts that has assisted with tourism efforts in Europe, China and Africa - is in the state thanks to funding from the S.C. Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, said Marion Edmonds, spokesman for the department.

"What we're hoping to produce is a blueprint, a road map for how we see tourism should be developed and how the existing products can be developed and enhanced in the years ahead," said Peter MacNulty, executive director of TDI. "It's such a competitive environment right now. Only quality wins in the end. We're going to look for how we can push for quality in developed and undeveloped parts of the regions."

This marks the sixth stop in the group's tour around the state. TDI has already conducted studies in Greenville, Columbia, Aiken and Florence and are still working in Rock Hill.

The consultants will conduct field research, look at existing and potential attractions in Horry and Georgetown counties, meet with key stakeholders in the tourism industry, and do market analysis that looks at the tourism trends in the area, MacNulty said.

"I am hoping they will identify new ideas that have not been suggested before. I anticipate that the plan will incorporate the potential of arts, history, culture and eco-tourism, as well as ideas to enhance the visual appeal of our community, especially the main transportation arteries," said Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. "Infrastructure is a key need for our area, both for tourism and nontourism purposes, as well as enhancing our overall quality of life."

One thing the area doesn't need is more hotel rooms, Dean said.

"We have a lot of lodging product that could be upgraded or enhanced, but unlike other areas of the state, we have an oversupply of rooms available, especially during the shoulder seasons," he said.

Annette Fisher, president of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, is looking for feedback on how to enhance and develop tourism opportunities in the county's historical and rural areas, its tidal rivers and in Andrews, which she considers the "gateway to the county."

"That's what I would hope for Georgetown County - that we can take a look at some things that we haven't thought of or we can look at things in a different way," Fisher said.

TDI officials will have an interim report completed in a month and a final report several weeks later, MacNulty said.

"At the end of the three months, we'd like to set out a vision and road map for tourism in the region - both private and public - and they can hopefully use that plan in the future," he said.

The group's international experience and perspective is good for the region, Edmonds said.

"It's important for us to not just sit around and wait for people to come in. We're not just competition with Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and the Caribbean," he said. "As more and more of the world steps into this industry, we can't just sit around. We've got to keep moving or we'll fall behind."

MacNulty said the results of the study in Horry and Georgetown counties will be launched publicly sometime in 2010.