Myrtle Beach number two vacation destination in new poll

A poll of 400 respondents from ten east coast states shows Myrtle Beach is the second most popular vacation destination. The Outer Banks is number one in the poll. Myrtle Beach jumped ahead of Orlando and Hilton Head.

The poll was conducted by Equation Research Inc. Surveys taken by Equation Research Inc. also show visitor satisfaction has risen 7% among people who have visited Myrtle Beach. John Pelletier, chairman of the group, says the city should focus its advertising campaign on keeping people coming back to the Grand Strand.

“It’s easier to convince someone who has already been convinced once to come back than it is to start from the beginning,” Pelletier said.

He also says that the city’s advertising campaign, launched earlier this spring, is having an impact on tourists, even though the travel industry in general has been suffering during the current recession.

“Lots and lots of destinations around the country are bleeding badly. And, Myrtle Beach, I think in that respect is doing very well and the ad program and the marketing are really working,” Pelletier said.

Pelletier suggests the city’s advertising campaign targets people who have visited the Grand Strand before.

Phillip Rateliff, executive chef at Sea Captain’s House, a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, says repeat customers are a vital part of the restaurant’s business.

“We see the same groups of tourists coming back to us year after year. Same faces, you know, we’ve had second generation customers coming back to us, so we thrive on customer loyalty,” Rateliff said.

Consumer spending is down nearly 10% now compared to the same time last year. Pelletier says as a result, people are shortening their vacations and sticking to a “razor-thin discretionary budget.”