Flights to Myrtle Beach

In the past three months, Horry County has welcomed three new flights to the Myrtle Beach International Airport, but have you wondered who is paying for the marketing and recruiting?
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, along with Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, put a marketing package together. In 2009, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President Brad Dean says the money to pay for that package came from private donations.However this year, he says it's coming from the 1 percent tourism tax.

There's probably a better application of that 1 percent tourism tax, said Patrick Keese.Keese flew into Myrtle Beach Wednesday, but he feels like his tax dollars should go towards other projects like roads and local attractions.That alone should draw tourists here because it is a great area with a great climate, said Keese.Beginning in April, American Airlines will offer a direct flight to Dallas, TX, from Myrtle Beach International Airport. Dean says normally the money spent getting flights like that to come to the area would have come from state grants, private contributions or the local accommodations tax.

Ultimately, if the area is attractive, people I think are going to come in any way with or without a particular promotion on an airline, said Keese.Dean says for every promotional dollar spent on marketing, $50 usually comes back in community returns.If that can be substantiated, that's not a bad thing. Those metrics are good if in fact that's true, said Keese.Reg Keough flew in from Pennsylvania Wednesday to see his son and says he's seeing the effects of Myrtle Beach advertising in the Keystone State.It seems like they're advertising more up there for Myrtle Beach and talking more about it, said Keough.If you ask him, there should be more flights, and more money spent to recruit them. He also feels the Myrtle Beach International Airport could use a few more flights.In the end, he may get his wish. Dean says there's a chance Allegiant and Direct Air may expand their routes this year.