As the Myrtle Beach Black Bikers depart this Memorial Day, the City of Myrtle Beach Hotels prepare for the hundred milers.
What are the hundred milers?
These are graduating high school seniors, along with some college students, who live within a 100 mile radius of the city of Myrtle Beach.
Several towns within this radius include: Columbia, S.C., Florence, S.C., Pinehurst, N.C., Fayetteville, N.C., Dillon, S.C., Sumter, S.C., Orangeburg, S.C., Lumberton, N.C., Bladenboro, N.C. among many more.
What Is The Profile Of The Hundred Milers?
Most of these southern towns have higher populations of black graduating students.
Like many southern towns in S.C. and N.C. the average income per parent earns $27,366.00 annually according to the United States Census Bureau.
Slightly more than half of these graduates live in single parent homes.
Who Rents To These 100 Milers?
The common perception is that only the older Myrtle Beach Hotels rent to this group.
The truth is practically every City of Myrtle Beach hotel, except a few high end properties like the Marriott Ocean Watch and the Hampton Inn Oceanfront, accepts these tourists.
These vacationers claim they have 6 people sleeping in a 3 bedroom condo when they book, but sneak 10 in upon arrival.
Housekeeping and the hotels look the other way during what would be a slower week in Myrtle Beach without these guests. Most Myrtle Beach hotels will run 100% occupancy over the June 4th weekend.
WHAT KIND OF CUSTOMERS ARE THEY?
Condo owners, who live out of state, say these customers are the hardest on their rooms.
Retail merchant Tuvia Wilkes told MyrtleBeachSC News, “These tourists don’t spend money in our stores.”
They also do not dine at area restaurants. This group is more accustomed to buying meals at pizza places and fast food chains.
Late night fast food chains like Cook Out will see long lines at the drive through.
Towns That Do Not Rent To 100 Milers
North Myrtle Beach
Surfside Beach
Garden City Beach
Pawleys Island
As we pointed out in a recent article, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is the best in the nation at marketing to and attracting minority tourists.
Once these guests leave, next up for the City of Myrtle Beach is the Country Music Festival along with the large numbers that this event brings to town.