MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—From PGA pros and celebrities to TV gameshow giveaways and a 61-foot rubber duck, Myrtle Beach is rolling out the red carpet for National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW). The celebration runs through May 10, 2025, and highlights the vital role tourism plays in strengthening the quality of life for our local residents.
“This is a special week for the tourism and hospitality industries as well as our entire community,” said Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer for Visit Myrtle Beach. “Tourism is our region’s economic engine, supporting local jobs and small businesses and enhancing quality of life. With world-class events like the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic taking place this week, we’re especially proud to spread the message that travel matters to Myrtle Beach.”
During NTTW, Myrtle Beach takes center stage with a series of high-profile events, many of which the local community can enjoy, including:
The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic: Myrtle Beach’s PGA TOUR event, held May 8-11, welcomes 128 professional golfers and over a dozen Hollywood celebrities to Myrtle Beach and showcases the “Golf Capital of the World” across the globe, including live broadcasts on the Golf Channel.
Beach Week on “Wheel of Fortune:” Airing Monday through Friday, the TV game show’s beloved hosts Vanna White, of North Myrtle Beach, and Ryan Seacrest showcase the Myrtle Beach area throughout the program. Visit Myrtle Beach will also award lucky Wheel Watchers with trips to The Beach.
The World’s Largest Rubber Duck: Thanks to YMCA of Coastal Carolina and the City of Myrtle Beach, the 61-foot Mama Duck makes a splash at the beach May 8-11 as part of Water Safety Month. The free event is open to the public and will culminate with special activities during Splash Safe Day this Saturday.
Governor Henry McMaster officially proclaimed this week Travel and Tourism Week in South Carolina, aligning the state with the national message that travel plays a vital role in the U.S. economy. Nationally, tourism contributes an impressive $2.9 trillion in economic output and supports over 15 million American jobs.
At the NTTW celebration in Columbia, S.C., Eva Aronson of Grand Palms Resort in Surfside Beach received the prestigious South Carolina Hospitality Employee of the Year award from the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
Aronson is one of approximately 82,000 local residents whose livelihoods depend on a thriving tourism industry. According to Visit Myrtle Beach, the region consistently ranks among the top U.S. destinations for beach vacations, family travel, group and sports events, and golf getaways. What’s more, tourism-related taxes continue to exceed pre-pandemic levels, allowing local municipalities to keep property taxes low while investing in public services, infrastructure and education.
During NTTW and beyond, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Myrtle Beach will highlight stories of travel’s positive impact on the community via social media, community events and partner recognition.
For more information on the economic impact of tourism, visit TourismWorksForTheGrandStrand.com.
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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.