The Official Myrtle Beach Area Airport Welcome Center, operated by Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, greeted a record number of tourists this past year. Almost nine times as many visitors stopped by the chamber’s welcome center at the Myrtle Beach International Airport in 2017 compared to 2016.

Staff at the welcome center helped 58,612 visitors in 2016 and that number jumped to 515,332 in 2017. The planes lined up just right for a winning year. First of all, more passengers arrived at MYR – 970,886 in 2016 and 1,142,925 in 2017. Second, the chamber’s remodeled visitors center was relocated from carousel three to carousel one, which was more inviting and easier for passengers to view the lively monitor displays highlighting the Myrtle Beach area. And third, the smiling faces of staff greeted tourists with refreshing mints as they walked down from the gates.

“With the relocation of the welcome center and staff greeting travelers as they arrived, we were able to share more information about the Myrtle Beach area and investor businesses with our visitors,” noted Faye Creel, visitor services manager at the airport welcome center. “It was a very busy year and a pleasure to assist more than 500,000 tourists in helping to make their vacation one to remember.”

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce unveiled its renovated welcome center at MYR Aug. 17, 2016. The booth is located in the baggage claim area and open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The MBACC Airport Welcome Center not only represents Myrtle Beach but the surrounding Grand Strand areas as well.