2014 Annual Marketing Report - MyrtleBeachAreaMarketing.com
Transcription
2014 Annual Marketing Report - MyrtleBeachAreaMarketing.com
M Y R T L E B E A C H A R E A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E 2014 Annual Marketing Report TO U R I S M H I S TO R Y VisitMyrtleBeach.com - 1 Executive Message We had an exceptional year in 2014, and believe this year’s annual marketing report will serve as a great blueprint reflecting how we got there. As we all know, the Myrtle Beach area thrives because of a vibrant economy centered on our 16.1 million annual visitors and $8 billion tourism industry. True, it is our world-class attractions and beautiful beaches that bring tourists here for the first time. However, it is the friendly faces and warm, southern hospitality they experience from our year-round residents that keep them coming back. As a compliment to our destination promotion efforts, we thank our visitors for helping us spread our message and their experiences via social channels like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. The more than 1.5 million fans who have “liked” our official Visit Myrtle Beach Facebook page are always happy to share a family photo or video, or a special memory from their time along our shores. Still, at the end of the day, all of us in the Myrtle Beach area are our own best marketing tool. As we roll out the welcome mat for 2015 visitors, we must remember to be ambassadors of our beach destination. That means taking time to greet our guests, share some local knowledge and recommendations with them, and let them know we appreciate their visit to our community. Thank you for all you do to make marketing this wonderful destination such important and rewarding work. Sincerely, Brad Dean President and CEO, MBACC/CVB Connect with us www.VisitMyrtleBeach.com Facebook @VisitMyrtleBeachSC M Y R T L E 1932 Twitter @MyMyrtleBeach Google+ @VisitMyrtleBeach B E AC H Brookgreen Gardens opens. 2 - 2014 Annual Marketing Report A R E A Instagram @MyMyrtleBeach Pinterest @MyMyrtleBeach T I M E L I N E Tumblr @MyMyrtleBeach YouTube @VisitMyrtleBeach 1938 1944 Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce first chartered. The Bowery opens. Importance of Tourism Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, employing millions worldwide. The United States Travel Association estimates domestic and international leisure and business travelers generated $2.1 trillion in economic impact in 2013, with $888 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers. This created an additional $1.2 trillion in other industries and more than 14.9 million jobs. Tourism, the largest industry in South Carolina, has long been a major driver of quality of life and opportunity. A study prepared for the South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (SCPRT) agency by the United States Travel Association revealed that domestic travel accounted for a direct economic impact of $11.5 billion in 2013 and created 114,000 jobs. How does tourism benefit the Grand Strand? TRAVEL Direct spending by resident and international travelers in the U.S. averaged : $2.4 billion a day $101.4 million an hour $1.7 million a minute $28,154 a second Tourism delivers a $6.3 billion direct economic impact, with the indirect economic impact adding another $1.8 billion and 73,500 jobs throughout our local community. That economic impact – totaling over $8 billion – is greater than the entire national gross product of numerous nations. Tourism impacts the community in other ways. It accounts for more than half of the jobs along the Grand Strand. Those employees use their wages to purchase goods and services, including housing, transportation, food, clothing, healthcare and entertainment. The money invested into our local economy by tourists circulates throughout our economy several times over, providing an on-going economic impact that would disappear entirely without tourism. Tourists also pay taxes. Transaction taxes collected from tourists include sales tax, hospitality fees, fuel tax, accommodations tax and education tax. 1945 1946 A local newspaper columnist dubs the area “The Grand Strand.” The iconic Gay Dolphin souvenir shop opens. Travel Creates Jobs 1 in every 9 American Jobs are supported by travel TO U R I S M H I S TO R Y 1948 The Myrtle Beach Pavilion opens. VisitMyrtleBeach.com - 3 2014 Tourism Indicators Occupancy Percent 26.6 39.1 53.5 61.5 59.9 77.6 84.5 76.5 57.8 50.7 38.6 31.2 January February March April May June July August September October November December Average Room Rate $60.10 $69.31 $84.51 $105.99 $121.21 $154.14 $181.74 $153.59 $97.30 $86.49 $71.88 $67.32 RevPAR $16.00 $27.08 $45.26 $65.14 $72.58 $119.68 $153.65 $117.55 $56.24 $43.82 $27.73 $21.00 Source: Smith Travel Research M Y R T L E B E AC H 1951 The first Can-Am Days and Sun Fun festival is held. 4 - 2014 Annual Marketing Report A R E A T I M E L I N E 1953 1954 Springmaid Beach Resort opens to the public. Sports Illustrated held its first major sales conference at Myrtle Beach’s Pine Lakes Country Club 2014 Big Projects – Foundation for Growth in Tourism & Sports Marketing Air Service Development & Activation Affordable transportation into the Myrtle Beach area is crucial to building our tourism economy. New air service highlights for 2014 include: 1. In May 2014, Allegiant Airlines launched new non-stop seasonal air service from Syracuse, NY; Columbus, OH; Cincinnati, OH; and, Lexington, KY to Myrtle Beach. 2. On September 24, 2014, Spirit Airlines announced new non-stop air service between Cleveland, OH and Myrtle Beach beginning April 16, 2015. Big South Title Sponsorship 2014 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Conference Basketball Championships March 4-9 The 2014 year began with the successful launch of an annual promotional campaign for the VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Basketball Championships. This was the second year of a four-year contract. Dan+Shay BigSouth2014_CV1_CV2.indd 1 2/4/14 4:08 PM Country music duo Dan+Shay came to the Myrtle Beach area to film the music video for their debut single, “19 You+Me.” It premiered on CMT in late January 2014. The duo returned to Myrtle Beach for a concert on April 15, 2014 at the site of the former Pavilion Park between Eighth and Ninth avenues north. Myrtle Beach Sports Center In February 2014, construction started on the new 100,000-squarefoot indoor sports facility that will help expand and bring more sports tourism to the Myrtle Beach area. The $12.4 million facility will open in March 2015 adjacent to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and will include eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a café and retail area, and large multi-screen video wall. VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 Myrtle Beach was the 2014 title sponsor for Kentucky Speedway’s NASCAR Nationwide VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 on September 20, 2014. The partnership was designed to expose the Visit Myrtle Beach experience to race fans throughout Kentucky, Ohio, and the surrounding region at multiple racing and media events throughout the year. 1955 Atalaya becomes a public home following Archer Huntington’s death. 1957 Myrtle Beach is first incorporated as a city. TO U R I S M H I S TO R Y 1962 The Dunes Club hosts the U.S. Golf Association Women’s Championship, which led to the expansion of golf courses. VisitMyrtleBeach.com - 5 2014 Advertising Target, Size, Scope, & Reach 2014 Marketing Allocations 2014 Media Mix Toronto Myrtle Beach Area 2013 Overnight Visitor Demographics Age 51 Household Income $68,600 Some College or Higher 71% Married/Partnered 79% Traveling with Children 34% Length of Stay (nights) 5 Source: Economic Impact Study; Equation Research M Y R T L E B E AC H 1966 Grand Strand Amusement Park, now Family Kingdom Amusement Park, opens. 6 - 2014 Annual Marketing Report A R E A T I M E L I N E 1971 Ocean Lakes Family Campground opens with 30 campsites and one bathhouse. 1973 Country super group ALABAMA began playing at The Bowery. 2014 Broadcast • • • • Top 10 States of Visitors 75+ markets 300+ station partners 70 million households 300,000 spots 2014 Digital (includes mobile, search, display, and video) • • 600+ online ad publishers 30+ direct buy partners New York 3.4% Pennsylvania 4.5% Ohio 5.5% 2.8% West Virginia 2.9% Virginia 7.8% North Carolina 30.8% Tennessee 3.2% South Carolina Georgia 17.4% 5.3% 1976 The Myrtle Beach Airport and terminal open for commercial flights 1978 Brookgreen Gardens listed on National Register of Historic Places. TO U R I S M 1979 H I S TO R Y Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce opens the Myrtle Beach Area Convention Bureau. VisitMyrtleBeach.com - 7 VisitMyrtleBeach.com UNIQUE User Sessions 2014 1,000,000 ADVERTISER Referrals YTD CHANGE 2013 9,370,523 2014 12,388,046 32.20% 2013 800,000 2014 1,200,000 2013 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 YTD CHANGE 2013 8,200,561 2014 9,527,226 13.18% 600,000 400,000 400,000 200,000 0 200,000 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 9.5 million advertising referrals in 2014 12.3 million unique website visitors in 2014 • YouTube Views: 6,928,774 • Google+ Lifetime Views: 2,881,801 • Facebook Likes: 1,514,351 • Twitter Followers: 65,110 • Pinterest Followers: 4,669 • Google+ in Circles: 4,225 • Instagram Followers: 3,100 M Y R T L E B E AC H 1983 The Shaggers Hall of Fame is conceptualized. 8 - 2014 Annual Marketing Report A R E A T I M E L I N E 1985 Myrtle Waves Water Park opens 1986 The Carolina Opry opens in Surfside Beach. E-Mail Distribution to 600,000+ Subscribers 1988 Barefoot Landing is rebuilt and opens. 1989 Shag: The Movie, largely filmed in North Myrtle Beach, is released in theaters throughout the U.S. TO U R I S M 1990 H I S TO R Y Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc. is formed. VisitMyrtleBeach.com - 9 Public Relations Media Report 2014 Annual Media Coverage Type Impressions *Internet Print *Broadcast Radio TOTAL Advertising Equivalent Value 2,235,363,990 $107,298,380 47,978,882 $13,085,379 $21,754,483 170,564,674 146,259,271 2,600,166,817 $150,253 $142,288,495 *Includes coverage of Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest incident M Y R T L E B E AC H 1992 Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede dinner theater opens in Myrtle Beach. 10 - 2014 Annual Marketing Report A R E A T I M E L I N E 1993 1994 The Alabama Theatre opens in North Myrtle Beach Caledonia Golf and Fish Club opens in Pawleys Island, S.C. Research & Statistics Research is important for gathering information to help ensure we are effective and efficient with our resources. It requires time, effort and investment. Since the MBACC/CVB has been tasked with growing new visitation to particularly the shoulder season, conducting research plays a crucial role in the marketing decision process by obtaining data before the consumer visits in the Myrtle Beach area, during their stay, and after their visit is over. Visitor Trending Estimated Number of Annual Visitors (millions) 15.2 14.0 16.1 14.6 13.8 Total Visitor Spending, Visitor Nights, Party Size (millions) Spending Nights Party Size 2008 $2,210 5.6 4 2009 $2,470 5.7 4 2010 $2,668 5.8 4 2011 $2,770 5.9 4 2012 $2,800 6.0 4 Source: Equation Research 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Source: D.K. Shifflet & Associates How Traveled 1995 Broadway at the Beach opens in Myrtle Beach. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Car 82% 81% 80% 80% 78% Airplane 11% 12% 14% 13% 13% Bus .05% 0% 0% 0% 0% RV 1% 1% 1% 1% .50% Motorcycle .05% 0% 1% 1% .70% Car Rental 5% 6% 8% 8% 8% 1996 Myrtle Beach Airport becomes an international airport. TO U R I S M 1997 H I S TO R Y The first Ripley Aquarium opens in Myrtle Beach, S.C. VisitMyrtleBeach.com - 11 Marketing Collateral Samples .com Visit Myrtle Beach SPECIAL DEALS ONLINE! Myrtle Beach, SC VisitMyrtleBeach.com CANADIAN- AMERICAN DAYS Celebrating 54 years of welcoming our Canadian and snowbird visitors March 14-22, 2015 Welcome to the 54th Annual CANADIAN-AMERICAN DAYS FESTIVAL March 14-22, 2015 The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to celebrate 54 years of welcoming our Canadian and snowbird visitors to our 60 miles of pristine, sandy beaches! Once again, the red carpet will be rolled out and our neighbors from the north will feel at home with a lineup of fun events and concerts taking place along the Grand Strand. From March 14 through March 22, 2015, Can-Am Days attendees can choose from a variety of free events and activities including band concerts, a St. Patrick’s Day parade and dance, golf tournaments and dining, all complemented by discounts on attractions and golf. The Can-Am Days truly showcases Southern hospitality at its finest! A complete event listing for the 54th Annual Canadian-American Days Festival can be found online at www.visitmyrtlebeach.ca. Your Myrtle Beach Vacation Starts Now Welcome To America’s Favorite Playground Myrtle Beach… it’s the place where time loses its meaning and cares slip away with the tide. Vacationers wake each morning to the bright yellow sun and drift off each evening to the soft sound of the ocean. Each day is filled with a fun adventure, a new memory, and sun kissed cheeks. With 100 kilometers of picturesque beaches, luscious green palmetto trees, cloudless skies and a VISIT MYRTLE BEACH THE OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE VisitMyrtleBeach.ca 2015CanAm6pger.indd 4 As snow begins falling across the country, guests can make their way to the Myrtle Beach area’s warmer temperatures and 60 miles of beautiful, sandy beaches while still experiencing the charm and tradition of the holidays. This year, swap gifts for treasured memories with a holiday visit to the Grand Strand. VISIT MYRTLE BEACH Not sure what to do for the holidays? Several Myrtle Beach area attractions are offering amazing holiday deals this year. More information can be found at VisitMyrtleBeach.com/holiday. Don’t let the winter blues drag you or your loved ones down. Escape the cold Whether catching one of the many and head to the warmth of the Myrtle fantastic holiday shows in the area or Beach area’s shores. You’re sure to find enjoying other favorite attractions, there plenty to do, see and celebrate this truly is no better way to bring the family holiday season. together for the holidays. The Myrtle Beach area’s delicious culinary delights and abundant shopping options also help make for a festive and memorable V for i s all i tages. MyrtleBeach.com getaway In-Room Copy - Please Do Not Remove 12/6 – 12/7 Christmas Cantata Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in North Myrtle Beach 843-280-5593 Parks.NMB.us 12/11 Living Window Display Downtown Conway 843-248-1740 ConwayAlive.com 12/14 11th Annual Christmas Towne Myrtle Beach Convention Center 843-916-7276 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 12/18 Conway Canine Christmas Costume Contest Downtown Conway 843-248-1740 ConwayAlive.com 12/20 Breakfast with Santa Surfside Beach, Golden Egg 843-650-9548 SurfsideBeach.org 12/31 New Year’s Eve “Garden by Candlelight” Pre-Party Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet 800-849-1931 Brookgreen.org 12/31 New Year’s Eve Dinner & Party House of Blues, North Myrtle Beach 843-272-3000 HouseOfBlues.com MUSIC FESTIVALS 11/5 – 11/9 Carolina Beach Music Awards Alabama Theatre 800-342-2262 Cammy.org 12/31 New Year’s Eve Party Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Myrtle Beach 843-448-5455 MargaritavilleMyrtleBeach.com 11/9 Tchaikovsky and the Romantic Spirit Long Bay Symphony Myrtle Beach High School Music and Arts Center 843-448-8379 LongBaySymphony.com 12/31 A Southern Times Square The Market Common in Myrtle Beach 843-839-3502 MarketCommonMB.com .com .com Wonderful shows, unique shopping venues and festivals that make the holiday season brighter. Experience Myrtle Beach this season. THE OFFICIAL MYRTLE BEACH AREA VISITORS GUIDETM The Official Myrtle Beach Area Visitors GuideTM THE GRAND STRAND Myrtle Beach l North Myrtle Beach l Surfside Beach l Little River Atlantic Beach l Garden City Beach l Loris l Conway l Aynor Murrells Inlet l Litchfield Beach l Pawleys Island Once you arrive, you’ll experience a one-of-a-kind lineup of live entertainment featuring singing, dancing and comedy. Many of our seasonal events begin in November and continue through December. For a full listing, visit GrandStrandEvents.com. 12/9/14 10:36 AM THE OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE THE OFFICIAL MYRTLE BEACH AREA VISITORS GUIDETM With wonderful holiday shows, a variety of shopping venues and the merriest of festivals, the Myrtle Beach area is sure to liven up your winter and make your holiday season a memorable one. touch of southern comfort, you’ll easily understand what makes this place so amazing and why our visitors return to our shores year after year. From entertaining miniature golf to exciting waterparks to fantastic shopping, a vacation to Myrtle Beach offers something memorable for everyone. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you enjoy and savor every minute of your Myrtle Beach vacation. HOLIDAY PARADES 11/29 30th Annual Intracoastal Christmas Regatta Boat Parade Little River Inlet to Dock Holidays Marina 843-249-8888 ChristmasRegatta.com 12/1 Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade Wilcox Avenue & U.S. Business 17 843-357-2007 MurrellsInletSC.com 12/6 North Myrtle Beach Christmas Parade Main Street 843-281-2662 NorthMyrtleBeachChamber.com 12/31 New Year’s Eve Celebration & Fireworks Celebrity Square, Broadway at the Beach 800-386-4662, ext. 1225 BroadwayAtTheBeach.com 12/13 Rivertown Christmas Parade Downtown Conway 843-248-6260 ConwayLive.com 12/31 Noon Year’s Eve Party Children’s Museum of S.C., Myrtle Beach 843-946-9469 CMSCKids.org 12/13 Surfside Beach Christmas Parade Ocean Boulevard 843-650-9548 SurfsideBeach.org 12/31 New Year’s Eve Bash Hard Rock Café, Myrtle Beach 843-946-0007 HardRock.com 11/15 SxSE Music Feast at the Depot Southeast Music Feasts 843-222-6146 SouthBySoutheast.org 11/27 -11/29 45th Annual South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival Myrtle Beach Convention Center 706-864-7203 AdamsAndAndersonBluegrass.com 12/6 Holiday Music Fest La Belle Amie Vineyards 843-399-9463 LaBelleAmie.com 12/6 -12/7 Musical Classics for the Holiday Season Long Bay Symphony Trinity Episcopal Church and Our Lady Star of The Sea Myrtle Beach 843-448-8379 LongBaySymphony.com 12/13 – 12/14 Carolina Master Chorale: Christmas and Carols and All That Jazz Socastee High School and Trinity Church 843-444-5774 CarolinaMasterChorale.com 12/27 Yuletide Music and Bonfire La Belle Amie Vineyards 843-399-9463 LaBelleAmie.com A PUBLICATION OF THE MYRTLE BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VisitMyrtleBeach.com VisitMyrtleBeach.com VisitMyrtleBeach.com FinalDigestCover2014D_V7.indd All Pages 11/6/14 3:07 PM Season20146pgGateB.indd 2 M Y R T L E 10/2/14 10:39 AM B E AC H 1999 TPC Myrtle Beach opened as the Grand Strand’s 100th golf course. 12 - 2014 Annual Marketing Report A R E A T I M E L I N E 2002 2003 Tanger Outlets opens two shopping centers in the Myrtle Beach area. The Myrtle Beach Convention Center opens. Mills Marketing Group Travel Show Listing 2014 Show DatesShowLocation Jan. 12 Auto Club Group Travel Show Jan. 17-19 Cincinnati Golf, Travel, Sports & Boat Show Cincinnati, OH Jan. 23 - 26 28th Nashville Boat & Sportshow Nashville, TN Jan. 24 - 26 AAA Great Vacations Expo Columbus, OH Feb. 7 - 9 Owensboro Hunting & Fishing Expo Owensboro, KY Feb. 14 - 23 Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show Indianapolis, IN Feb. 21 - 23 31st Chicago Golf Show Chicago, IL Feb Fort Bragg Military Show Fort Bragg, NC Feb Camp Lejeune Military Show Camp Lejeune, NC Feb Fort Campbell Military Base Fort Campbell, KY March 1 - AAA Travel Show Montgomery, AL March 7 - 9 Southern Women’s Show Memphis, TN March Shaw Air Force Base Military Travel Sumter, SC March 5, 2014 Fort Rucker Military Base Travel Show Dothan, AL March 12, 2014 Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah March 11, 2014 Fort Stewart Army Fort Campbell, KY March 19, 2014 Albany MCLB Montgomery, AL March 20, 2015 Warner Robins April 5 - AAA Travel Show Tuscaloosa, AL April 18 - 21, 2013 Southern Women’s Show Nashville, TN April 26 - 28, 2013 Southern Women’s Show Raleigh, NC April 19 - AAA Travel Show Huntsville, AL May 3 - AAA Travel Show - Headquarters Birmingham, AL May Travel Expo at The Villages The Villages, FL June Senior FunFest & JamboreePlant City (Tampa), FL Sept Fall Community Showcase & Travel ShowHunter Army Airfield, GA Sept Fall Community Showcase & Travel ShowFort Stewart, GA Sept Southern Women’s Show Charlotte, NC Sept FL Home & Garden Show Fort Myers, FL Oct 29th Annual Southern Women’s Show Birmingham, AL Oct Southern Women’s Show Nov Fort Knox Retired Military Annual ShowFort Knox, KY Knoxville, TN Jacksonville, FL 2005 The 2004 restoration of the Myrtle Beach train depot wins the 2005 Historic Preservation Honor Award from the S.C. Department of Archives and History. 2006 The first Beach Boogie & BBQ Festival is held. TO U R I S M 2008 H I S TO R Y Republican Presidential Primary debate & Democratic Presidential Primary Debates hosted in Myrtle Beach. VisitMyrtleBeach.com - 13 CVB Group Sales 2014 Successes • Definite room nights - 172,805 • Leads generated – 859 • Serviced 303 groups with welcome materials, promotions, or assistance • Represented MB at 35 trade shows • Hosted 75 in-market fam trips • Sponsorships at 12 major industry functions M Y R T L E B E AC H 2009 A R E A Myrtle Beach implements a Tourism Development Fee to help fund tourism promotion. 14 - 2014 Annual Marketing Report T I M E L I N E 2010 2010 The 1.2-mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade opens. Dave Price of the CBS Early Show broadcasts live from Myrtle Beach. Events & Festivals • Dan+Shay Outdoor Concert • 53rd Annual Canadian American Days Festival • 9th Annual Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival • 33rd Annual World Famous Blue Crab Festival • 9th Annual Mayfest on Main • 4th Annual Coastal Uncorked • 35th Annual Conway Riverfest • 35th Annual Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival • 10th Annual Little River ShrimpFest • 35th Annual Loris Bog-Off Festival • 17th Annual MyrtleBeach.com Myrtle Beach Marathon • Divas Half Marathon • 6th Annual Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon • 31st Annual Taste of the Town • 4th Annual F.L.A.V.O.R. Culinary Tasting Event 2011 The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel opens. 2012 The Republican Presidential Primary debate is held at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. TO U R I S M 2014 H I S TO R Y Myrtle Beach International Airport opens its new $118 million terminal. VisitMyrtleBeach.com - 15 2014 Accolades & Awards As part of our continued integrated marketing efforts, we will continue to obtain industry recognition with awards such as: • 2014 SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR’S CUP MYRTLE BEACH BOARDWALK •P RICELINE.COM TOP 10 SUMMER BEACH DESTINATIONS •C OUPONSDAILY.COM 20 CITIES FOR AN AFFORDABLE VALENTINE’S DAY GETAWAY • USA TODAY, 10BEST BEST GOLF DESTINATION • TRIPADVISOR VACATION RENTALS BEST FAMILY TRIP DESTINATION •T RIP ADVISOR MOST POPULAR TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR SUMMER 2013 & 2014 •T RIPADVISOR TOP 25 DESTINATIONS – UNITED STATES • FAMILY VACATION CRITIC 10 BEST BEACHES FOR FAMILIES IN 2014 • YAHOO! TRAVEL 50 COOLEST THINGS IN AMERICA •F LIPKEY.COM 2014 TOP MARATHONS & RACES WORTH TRAVELING FOR (2014) • U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT: TRAVEL BEST FAMILY BEACH VACATIONS IN THE USA • STADIUM JOURNEY MAGAZINE TOP 100 STADIUM EXPERIENCES OF 2014 •G ROUPS TODAY SOUTHERN READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2014 •T RIP ADVISOR TRAVELERS’ CHOICE: U.S. TOP 25 DESTINATIONS (2014) • DREAM PLAN GO THE NINE BEST LAST-MINUTE U.S. TRIP DESTINATIONS (2014) • DESTINATION TRAVEL MAGAZINE TOP 12 BEST AQUARIUMS IN THE NATION • CONVENTIONSOUTH MAGAZINE BEST PLACE TO KICK BACK “Golf or beach? In Myrtle Beach the answer is a resounding: both!” - Yahoo Travel, naming Myrtle Beach one of its top 10 buzziest beach destinations for 2014 “Myrtle Beach might as well be a distant cousin of Disney World, with plenty of restaurants and an abundance of family-friendly attractions.” - Family Vacation Critic, naming Myrtle Beach one of its best beaches for families for 2014. M Y R T L E B E AC H 16 - 2014 Annual Marketing Report A R E A T I M E L I N E