Grand Strand tourism promoters want the destination to lure more affluent travelers. The high-end strategy is a fairly new one for the Grand Strand, but promoters say it’s the key as baby boomers reach retirement.

• “Our market stats show we are clearly beginning to attract a larger number of affluent travelers, the Grand Strand is still a destination that appeals to all income classes, particularly middle class America,” said Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

• But Myrtle Beach might have some stiff competition with Hilton Head Island, which managed to snag the ninth spot on the list of destinations affluent travelers are interested in, but haven’t yet visited.

Source: Dawn Bryant, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC

Developers are breaking ground Friday on what they describe as a healthy living, calming, lavish resort in North Myrtle Beach called North Beach Plantation.

• The “destination” spa at North Beach will have a meditation garden, rooms for Pilates and yoga and world-class decor and services.

Experts say the project will be a new - and needed - tourism and real estate amenity.

• “It may cause people to come here instead of go someplace else,” said Tom Maeser, president of the Fortune Academy of Real Estate. “The challenge is that it must be competitive with other spa resorts. There’s lots of demand for that. It’s very popular especially with baby boomers who are going to the Bahamas and Paradise Island for spa resorts.”

The resort spans 60 acres from U.S. 17 to the ocean - formerly the Barefoot Campground.

• When completed in five years, the resort will hold 800 dwelling units and 70,000 square feet of commercial space.

The economic impact of the resort will be substantial.

• A study by Coastal Carolina University for the city of North Myrtle Beach says North Beach Plantation will bring $1.5 million to the city’s budget annually.

• The project will increase Horry County’s total employment by 1,900 jobs.

• The report estimates North Beach Plantation’s total economic impact will be $1 billion.

Construction has begun on the twin, oceanfront North Beach Towers that will be built in classic Georgian architecture.

• Two arches will connect the 18-story towers - the upper arch on the 13th and 14th floors will have a two-story upscale restaurant and piano bar with views of the ocean and marsh.

• The lower arch on the third floor will have a breakfast and lunch restaurant.

The remaining 53 acres will be mostly single-family with some condominiums for spa guests nestled around the live oak trees.

• The resort will feature an upscale fitness center with a 4½-mile walking path around the resort with exercise stations.

• A village center, called The Exchange, will have boutiques, restaurants, retail and office space with condominium living above… with no vehicular traffic.

• A plantation home will be built at the front of the property with the spa and fitness center as a “grand reception hall” for check-in… all open to the public.

• A chapel to be built on the property will use doors and pews from an 1800’s English chapel.

The towers, retail, spa and fitness center will be completed in two years. The first homes sold - which will be released for sale within six months - will be ready to move in by next year.

• Home buyers will be able to catch a shuttle from their home to the beach and can use all six oceanfront pools in the towers, which will offer private cabanas, and pools for kids or pools for a relaxing afternoon.

Source: Jenny Burns, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC

For more information on North Beach Plantation prices and availablitly, contact Barbara Chartier at 843-902-0204.

Southern Skyways has postponed launching direct flights to Charleston, W.Va., and Cincinnati until May 25 and dropped its third destination, Allentown, Pa. All the nonstop flights had planned to take off March 2.

Lagging ticket sales and high airport fees have caused major cutbacks by the carrier aiming to get service off the ground in Myrtle Beach.

• Ticketholders will automatically receive refunds, said Cary Evans of Southern Skyways.

• E-mail notices were being sent to passengers Friday, with refunds expected to be sent Monday.

The later start could be a hit for golf promoters, who were hoping the extra flights would shuttle more players here for the spring golf season that kicks off next month. Golf Holiday has spent about $30,000 on ads in the Charleston area that mention the flights starting in March.

Evans blamed high fees that airlines pay at Myrtle Beach International Airport with contributing to the carrier’s cutbacks.

• Southern Skyways didn’t have to pay fees in Allentown or Charleston but recently received a six-figure bill covering counter space and common areas for two months in Myrtle Beach.

• “Right away we have an unexpected $106,000 deposit we have to make to Myrtle Beach International when it’s zero in Allentown and zero in Charleston,” Evans said. “You can see the difference in who wants air service.”

• Airport officials have said the fees airlines pay in Myrtle Beach aren’t out of line.

Evans expects demand to pick up once the summer travel season kicks in. He’s confident Southern Skyways can make it work.

• “We certainly believe in Myrtle Beach,” Evans said. “We know Myrtle Beach - as you know it has always historically been summer for Myrtle Beach. The challenge is to fill in around the seasonal aspect of it.”

• Southern Skyways is a charter service based in Atlanta.

Source: Dawn Bryant, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC

Total Rounds Down

The number of golf rounds played on the Grand Strand fell 3.1 percent in 2006 compared to 2005, leaving the Strand shy for the second straight year of the 4 million milestone that has been the area’s benchmark.

• Rounds played totaled 3.86 million and fell more than 3 percent for the second consecutive year. More than 4 millions rounds were played on the Strand every year from 1997 through 2004, according to figures compiled monthly for marketing cooperative Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

• Total paid rounds - consisting of walk-on, package, member and replay rounds - also fell more than 3 percent for the second straight year to 3.72 million rounds.

Average Rounds Up

Because of the closing of 11 courses since November 2005, the average rounds per golf course increased 6.5 percent in 2006 for an eight-year high of 41,664 rounds per layout. That number is up 10.6 percent from 2004 totals.

• Average paid rounds increased 6.5 percent to 40,267 per course.

Golf Holiday president Mickey McCamish said the rounds were hurt by the loss of 105,109 airline seats on incoming commercial flights to Myrtle Beach - mostly attributed to the elimination of Hooters Air. Two new airlines are expected to add seats this year.

Source: Alan Blondin, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC

Construction has begun on North Beach Towers in North Myrtle Beach’s newest and most luxurious oceanfront development - North Beach Plantation.

The Official Ground Breaking ceremony for North Beach Towers is scheduled for February 23, 2007.

North Beach Towers is the Grand Strand’s premier oceanfront Residence. With Southern charm distinguished by Georgian architecture, this exclusive community will be the playground of choice for the oceanfront elite.

Contact Barbara Chartier (843-902-0204) for more information, floor plans, unit availability and prices.