Can't Rain On My Myrtle Beach Parade

with Adrienne Lem Burkett

Prepping for our weekend getaway to Myrtle Beach, my husband and I were looking forward to some sun, sand and some good ol’ Southern Hospitality. Greeted by grey skies upon arrival, we quickly realized that the forecast would not be in our favour. But despite the poor weather, the Southern Hospitality we received more than made up for it. It’s clear why the destination is a hit with us “Northerners.”

According to the Myrtle Beach Area CVB, they welcome approximately 500,000 Canadians per year. “WestJet increased their scheduled service this year so more visitors from Canada are expected in 2014,” said Kimberly Hartley, the CVB’s Canadian rep. “Porter Airlines added fall service in 2012 and 2013 which increased the numbers as well.”

With the increase in lift, accessing the destination has never been easier, as is finding suitable accommodation. We stayed at the Caribbean Resort & Villas Myrtle Beach – a family favourite along the popular Ocean Drive. The beachfront property features condo style accommodations, complete with fully equipped kitchens – perfect for long duration stays with the entire family.

My husband and I only had 2 days to spare, so we created a shortlist of “musts” for our weekend:

• A close encounter with Jaws at Ripley’s Aquarium.
• A round of put-put at Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf. Myrtle Beach claims to be the miniature golf capital of the world – and there’s really no disputing this claim.
• Testing my fear of heights on the SkyWheel. Though a ride on their VIP flight, which features a glass floor and Ferrari leather seats, makes for a very smooth and comfortable ride.
• My favourite – wandering hand-in-hand with my husband through the stunning Brookgreen Gardens. Over 400 volunteers maintain the 9,000 acres, the inspirational sculpture gardens and the Lowcountry Zoo.

“Myrtle Beach is becoming a more popular destination with our presence in Canada over the last 5 years, the new revitalized Myrtle Beach and the increase in sales and marketing in the market,” said Hartley. “Consequently, more consumers are asking for the Myrtle Beach area.”

And when your clients come knocking and inquire about the destination, be sure to offer your expertise by completing the Myrtle Beach Area MBA Specialist Program, which was recently re-launched with some great incentives. You’ll learn about the many attractions and activities the Grand Strand has to offer, from hitting the greens at one of the destination’s 100 golf courses to strolling along its 60 mile long beach. If this isn’t enough to entice your clients, sell them on the Southern Hospitality! If there was anything that exceeded our expectations during our trip, it wasn’t how there was an Eagles beach shop situated on every corner (because there was…), it was how friendly all the locals were!

Needless to say, my husband and I only scratched the surface of what Myrtle Beach has to offer... and we didn’t get the sunny getaway that we had originally hoped for. The only answer to this problem… a repeat visit!

Brookgreen Gardens