Travel and Tourism Week celebrates South Carolina’s robust tourism industry and the people who fuel it
May 3, 2022
Gov. Henry McMaster proclaimed May 1-7, 2022 is Travel and Tourism Week in South Carolina. This announcement aligns with the nationwide celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), which spotlights the critical impact tourism has on our economy, our communities, and our workforce.
“Tourism had a $24 billion impact in South Carolina in 2019,” said Duane Parrish, director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “After facing unprecedented challenges from the pandemic, strong visitor demand for our incredible beaches, our abundant outdoor recreation, and our unparalleled cuisine has helped fuel the recovery of our industry, and in a larger sense, the recovery of our state.”
Tourism supports one in every 10 jobs in South Carolina. State and local tax collections from tourism pump $1.8 billion into our local economies. Before the pandemic, South Carolina tourism had seen 10 consecutive years of growth. As neighboring states continue to recover and competition to attract visitors only increases, South Carolina’s tourism industry is working hard to inch closer to the record levels set in 2019.
“Travel and Tourism Week is a special time to not only reflect on our successes and resiliency as an industry, but also to shine a light on the people who work tirelessly to fuel it,” said Parrish. “From the greenskeepers on our more than 300 golf courses to the housekeepers in our countless hotels, to every restaurant owner and tour guide in between, the people who work in this industry are what truly make South Carolina hospitality special. Their dedication and passion create the memories that bring our visitors back year after year.”
Celebrated annually during the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the US. The theme of the 39th annual NTTW is the “Future of Travel” as the industry looks ahead to future growth and success following the challenges of the past two years.
South Carolina media members are encouraged to reach out to local travel and tourism-related businesses to help spotlight and celebrate the people who fuel the industry around the state.
Explore the official tourism site of South Carolina and discover all the rich history, sandy beaches, and family attractions a South Carolina vacation has to offer at DiscoverSouthCarolina.com. Visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.
