It’s that time of the year again, and graduation season is fast approaching one of the most popular spring break destinations in the United States.
As high school seniors and college students look forward to unwinding following a long and grueling semester of studying, there are few better destinations than MyrtleManiac in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Our beautiful town will soon be crawling with young high school seniors and college students just waiting to blow-off steam, and even though we receive 20 million visitors each year, it is these dewy-eyed students who anchor and spread the word about its remarkable attractions.
As a resident or business owner in Myrtle Beach, it is your responsibility to go the extra mile to make it safe and hospitable for our young guests. In this article, we cover some ways of achieving the same, and adding to the beauty and attractiveness of our town.
- Start Planning Early
If you’re running a business in town, and cater to tourists, make sure to start planning early for the increased influx in May.
Preparations should ideally start 3 to 4 weeks prior to graduation season, and this includes stocking up on essentials, preparing for emergencies, coming up with plans and guides for things to do, and keeping merchandise in stock, among other things.
If you’ve been in business for more than a few years, you probably know by now what to expect during this time of year, and if not, there is always room for learning something new.
- Review Your Marketing Strategy
Even with millions of tourists to go around, with 1,800 restaurants, 86 golf courses, and countless clubs, bars, and hotels, it takes quite a bit of effort to differentiate your offerings and stand out.
As we enter into peak ‘Graduation Season’ most existing establishments will start to up their marketing, with plenty of offers, discounts, and value-added services, aimed at attracting college students who are often low on budget.
Businesses also consider splurging on billboards, posters, pamphlets, and online ads to reach out to potential tourists and stay ahead of the competition. Whatever your approach is, it is best to review and revise at least a few weeks before hitting peak season.
- Develop Practices For Safety & Security
During this season, it is natural for things to get out of control, with visitors at times drinking more than they can handle, or acting out.
It is also easy to get carried away by the party atmosphere, which is a good thing, but too far, and things could take a turn for the worse. This makes it essential for businesses to come with strict protocols for safety and security, this includes things such as max drink limit, physical security, and more.
Myrtle Beach can only remain a party town if it can maintain its reputation for safety and security, while having fun, and a bulk of this responsibility lies with business owners and other community members.
- Award Scholarships & Honors
A great way to attract and build traction among the young clientele is by awarding honors and scholarships to high school seniors yourself. It need not be an expensive scholarship, just $500 to $2,500 would do the trick, and help bring an entire class of seniors to your establishment.
Include premium quality awards and trophies to go with this, and there can be no better way to get word of mouth going, and building goodwill in the community.
This is a fairly unorthodox growth-hack in tourist destinations such as Myrtle Beach, but it often works wonders, especially with the right execution. Make sure to get in touch with local high schools before setting up a scholarship, and things should start rolling from there.
Final Verdict
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is right up there with Miami Beach, Boulder, San Diego, and Orlando, as undisputed kings of Spring Break destinations. Whether it was the tornadoes of 2001, or COVID in 2020, college students, and high school seniors from across the country have flocked to the resort town to create memories and blow-off steam.
For the wider community, residents, and business owners, maintaining the town’s brand and reputation is crucial in order to keep the good times going, and the above-mentioned tips are a great way to get started.