I ran earlier this week a column Ask a simple question: Can the multi-billion dollar South Carolina tourism industry recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic?

So far, the answer to this question in 2021 has been a clear “No”- which contributed to the constant anemia of the palmetto state Employment situation.

But as the industry’s peak season approaches, there are signs of life … including a solid week that will lead to an anticipated Banner Memorial Day weekend.

According to the latest data from the SC Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT), Sales per available room – or “RevPAR”, an important key figure for the industry – clocked in at $ 93.86 for the week ending May 22, 2021. This number marks a 121.3 percent Increase from the corresponding week in 2020, when Covid-19-related societal shutdowns were still devastating the country’s economy.

More importantly, it a 7.9 percent Increase compared to the corresponding week in 2019 – the last “normal” data year.

Look here …

(Click to show)

(Via: SCPRT)

RevPAR has lagged behind 2019 since the beginning of the year 17.6 percentBut the gap has closed in recent weeks – and a big Memorial Day weekend could provide further positive impulses.

In the week up to May 22nd, the workload also showed a high level of reliability 67.8 percent. That number had just increased 0.8 percent from the corresponding week in 2019 – but the gap since the beginning of the year was comparatively modest 13.5 percent. Earlier this yearThe occupancy rate was almost the same as in 2019 25 percent.

Here, too, a big day of remembrance is expected to continue the upward trend …

According to reporter Lauren Crawford Occupancy for WBTW TV-13 (CBS – Florence / Myrtle Beach, SC) in Myrtle Beach, SC was nearing the holiday weekend. Local officials said their occupancy rates would likely be dwarfed 90 percent on Friday.

There were few vacancies in Charleston, SC – either Airbnb Rental.

“The Charleston area is completely sold out,” a source told me while looking for a room. “And Airbnb.”

Public safety apparently continues to be an issue in Palmetto State – especially in the Myrtle Beach area shaken by violence last feast day.

Unfortunately, this trend seems to continue this year …

On Friday evening, police arrested a man in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in North Myrtle Beach, SC, on the evening of May 21. Shortly after the announcement of the arrest, another shooting took place in Myrtle Beach, in which one person was hospitalized. Several people were arrested and one suspect was taken into custody in connection with this second shooting.

Hopefully local law enforcement (with the assistance of the state) can keep things under control for the next few days, while what appears to be the largest influx of visitors to the state since the pandemic shutdowns began fourteen and fourteen months ago.

If so, this could mark the start of a busy 2021 season – one the state desperately needs after 2021 2020 washout.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

(Via: FITSNews)

Will folks is the founding editor of the news agency you are reading right now. Prior to founding FITSNews, he was the South Carolina Governor’s press secretary. He lives in the state’s Midlands with his wife and seven children. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the gorgeous Fall Classic 2013 St. Louis Cardinals lid pictured above).

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