MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—On Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), released its Fall 2023 Travel Outlook showcasing updated data and trends for the coming months.
Visit Myrtle Beach Fall 2023 Travel Outlook
Traveler sentiment remains high for fall with 74 percent of Americans surveyed reporting they will travel this fall, well above 61 percent planning to travel at the same time last year. (Source: TripAdvisor’s 2023 Seasonal Travel Index)
Myrtle Beach once again made TripAdvisor’s annual list of “Top 10 U.S. Destinations for Fall Travel,” showing that U.S. travelers continue to seek our warm weather this fall. Myrtle Beach placed 8th on the list for the past two years.
Horry County vacation rental occupancy bookings are currently pacing at 44 percent for the next 30 days with reservations increasing up to the day of stay. (Source: KeyData) CVB officials noted fall accommodation bookings are coming in last-minute and at a slower pace compared to the last two years, but visitation remains higher than pre-pandemic levels seen prior to 2020.
Business travel is expected to have grown by double digits in both volume and spending by the close of 2023. (Source: U.S. Travel Association) Here in Myrtle Beach, these conventions, group and sporting events are a cornerstone of the fall travel season.
While international travel recovery remains behind, inbound visitations from Canada have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels. (Source: U.S. Travel Association) Along the Grand Strand, many of our Canadian friends will return this fall and throughout the winter with Can-Am Days happening March 9-17, 2024.
“Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand provides residents and visitors the opportunity to experience an extended summer with our subtropical climate, 60 miles of free beaches, golfing, outdoor experiences, abundance of festivals and events, 2,000-plus diverse restaurants, and much more,” said MBACC and CVB President and CEO Karen Riordan.
Upcoming fall festivals include Conway Burger Week, Sept. 18-24; Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, Sept. 22-24; Beach 'n Chili Fest, Sept. 29-Oct. 1; Irish Italian International Festival, Sept. 30; Vintage Market Days Friday, Sept. 29-Oct. 1; Myrtle Beach Bike Week Fall Rally, Oct. 2-Oct. 8; Surfside Beach Family Festival, Oct. 7; 3rd Annual OktoberFest at Barefoot Landing, Oct. 7; Fall Taste of The Market Common – Oct. 7; Harvest Home Festival, Oct. 7; Taste of the Town, Oct. 10; Little River ShrimpFest, Oct. 14-15; Myrtle Beach Mini-Marathon, Oct. 14; Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival, Oct. 20-22; Myrtle Beach Jeep Jam, Oct. 20-22; Loris Bog-Off Festival, Oct. 21; Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, Oct. 21-22; Fall Jerk Fest, Oct. 29; Brew at the Zoo at Brookgreen Gardens, Nov. 4; and Myrtle Beach Invitational, Nov. 16-19.
VisitMyrtleBeach.com offers additional information on enjoying fall along the Grand Strand.
Myrtle Beach is #8 in Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Trending Domestic Destinations for Fall 2023 based on what travelers are considering between September and November.
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About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community — serving Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded MBACC its five-star accreditation — one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and its destination marketing arm Visit Myrtle Beach promote tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the Grand Strand. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com and VisitMyrtleBeach.com.