WMBFNews.com, Myrtle Beach/Florence SC, WeatherMBACC launches tourism advertising campaign

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - The sand, sun and temperatures draw millions to the Grand Strand each year, and now the key elements to Myrtle Beach tourism are being harnessed for a new ad campaign.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is launching its annual advertisement blitz in "cold weather" markets this week -- all key driving and flying destinations to the Grand Strand.

The year-long advertising efforts, according to chamber officials, will cost an estimated $18 to $20 million.

Last year, a similar version of the television and print campaign targeted 70 major markets, including big-name cities like Chicago, Baltimore, New York and Washington DC. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce said it primarily advertised for the spring months, an aspect of the campaign that's changing in 2011.

"It helped us reach into new markets," MBACC president Brad Dean said. "[It brought] in a lot of first-time visitors. Now the challenge is now that we've brought them here, to bring them back."

To make that happen, Dean says a few campaign logistics had to change.

"We don't want to give up what we gained in the summer, but we want to bring people in the spring and fall, as well."

A handful of new attractions and a marathon campaign could prove to boost overall vacation reservations in the spring, summer and fall months.

"The WonderWorks museum opening up, the continued appeal of the boardwalk, Landshark Cafe owned by Jimmy Buffett, as well as the SkyWheel -- all of these things will be reasons for visitors in the past to come again and could be the reason for first-time visitors to come and try the Myrtle Beach area."

The buzz of the Grand Strand, its entertainment and wide variety of restaurants were enough to lure Suzanne Goodrich and her husband to the area for their first visit. The two say they'll be spending a handful of weeks on the Grand Strand before retuning to their hometown of East Springfield, NY.

"We've never been here before, but our friends advised it, so we are," Suzanne Goodrich said. "The weather is much nicer than what we had at home. I think [our friends] found lots of things to do."

Whether it's by word-of-mouth or through exposure to the MBACC's multi-million dollar advertising campaign, Dean says he hopes first-time visitors get a good enough feel of the Grand Strand to make it their regular destination.

"If we like it, we'll be back most likely," Goodrich said. "We'll be telling friends about it and see how many we can get to come down!"

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