In September 2018, Hurricane Florence deluged parts of the Carolinas. Hardest hit was North Carolina, with an estimated $17 billion in crop, infrastructure and other losses.
Florence went easier on South Carolina, which reportedly saw some $607 million in damages.
Experiencing varying impacts, from minimal to destructive, the region’s coastal destinations have made significant recovery and rejuvenation efforts since the floodwaters receded.
Open for business and in expansion mode, the forecast is bright for the Coastal Carolinas region in 2019.
North Carolina Forecasts 'a Robust 2019' for Meetings
Set along the Cape Fear River, historic Wilmington and its island beaches experienced significant flooding, power loss and damage from Hurricane Florence.
Then local officials, business owners, residents and volunteers rolled up their sleeves and resiliently turned the tide in the city named one of TripAdvisor’s 2018 Travelers’ Choice “Top Destinations on the Rise.”
“Wilmington is officially open for business,” said Wilmington and Beaches CVB CEO Kim Hufham. “While we lost two meetings in September and October because of the storm, they were able to rebook for 2019 and 2020.
"Based on our quick recovery, we do not anticipate that the storm will negatively affect future bookings.”
Slated to run through January 2019, the bureau’s “Comeback” campaign encourages groups to be part of Wilmington’s comeback story by booking future meetings and events in the city.
“We are pleased to see many groups doing so already,” Hufham said.
John W. Sneed II, vice president of sales and services, forecasts “a very positive” 2019.
“Booked meetings and events are even in fiscal year comparisons, but with increased convention district hotel inventory allowing us to host larger events, booked room nights increased by 83 percent,” he said.
Recent openings include the 186-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront Hotel, offering 5,000-plus square feet of flexible space.
Set within the nationally acclaimed River District and anchored by the 2,000-capacity Wilmington Convention Center, the convention district has experienced $426.1 million in investments over the last five years.
“We expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future with additional convention district and downtown hotels slated to open in the next three years,” Sneed said.
Cape Lookout, N.C. | Credit: Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority
At least six anticipated openings include the Arrive (spring 2019) and Aloft (2020/2021) hotels. Meanwhile, The Hotel Ballast, Tapestry Collection by Hilton recently completed an $11 million renovation, including all ballrooms and meeting spaces.
In historic New Bern, inland flooding significantly damaged the city’s three downtown hotels, and filled the interior of the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center with three feet of water.
“Courtyard by Marriott is operating as the Riverfront Hotel until first-floor repairs are complete and they can resume operations under the Marriott flag,” reported Tarshi McCoy, executive director of the New Bern-Craven County CVB. “Completely gutted and undergoing major renovations, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New Bern is aiming to reopen its main building in March 2019 and Inn Building in late August. With structural repairs now on an accelerated schedule, the convention center is projected to reopen in August.”
The city otherwise got back on track, with nearly 70 percent of downtown businesses reopened a week after Florence, and thousands of celebrants enjoying the annual Mum Fest three weeks after the storm.
“We’re optimistic for 2019,” McCoy said. “With diverse other available venues, our hospitality partners are working together to accommodate groups that would normally book the convention center. With a little creativity, we are keeping the business in New Bern.”
The Outer Banks went virtually unscathed, while the Crystal Coast is in confident rebound mode.
“While the Crystal Coast Civic Center suffered only minor damage, many of our lodging establishments were extensively hit,” reported Jim Browder, executive director of the Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority. “However, with our shoulder season immediately following the storm, we have the winter to rebuild and rejuvenate. Hotel partners are enhancing their sales and marketing efforts ahead of our 2019 spring season.”
Home of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, the Crystal Coast’s group market is driven by more than 400 annual events and festivals.
“Many of our groups return year after year as either participants or spectators,” Browder said.
“We anticipate a robust 2019," he added.
New Enhancements Drive South Carolina Forward in 2019
The Charleston region was fortunate to escape any significant physical damage from Florence, which had potentially threatened the Lowcountry before making landfall 200 miles to the north.
Historic Carriage Tour, Charleston, S.C. | Credit: Explore Charleston
“While we were excited that our hotels, restaurants and other attractions were able to resume normal operations within one or two days, our prayers were with our neighbors in North Carolina and upstate South Carolina,” said Michael Tall, chairman of the Board of Governors, Explore Charleston. “Despite visitation decreases from the threats of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, year-to-date data indicates that 2018 performed well, with 2019 looking strong. Inquiries are up compared to prior years, and our group sales team is optimistic about the forecast for meetings and conferences over the next 12 months.”
Tall added that, “with the airlift growth we continue to enjoy, including new service in April 2019 between Charleston and London on British Airways, people from many more places can now more easily access the Charleston area for their business and leisure travel.”
While diverting travel plans for some groups, Hurricane Florence spared most of the Myrtle Beach area, reported Bob Harris, Visit Myrtle Beach’s new executive vice president of sales.
Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Convention Center
“With minimal damage from the hurricane, our businesses were poised to welcome visitors once conditions were normalized,” Harris said. “With many meetings, conferences and events planned or rebooked for 2019, we project a successful year ahead.”
The 250,000-square-foot Myrtle Beach Convention Center also foresees a sunny 2019 campaign.
“Total daily attendance exceeded 750,000 visitors in 2018, and exhibit hall occupancy topped out at 70 percent,” said Brian Monroe, the venue’s sales and marketing director. “The summer saw 80 consecutive event days. With 80 percent of our annual business coming from repeat clients, 2019 is shaping up as another banner year.”
Myrtle Beach’s vacation destination appeal factors significantly in attracting diverse tradeshow groups, from hardware sales to food products. Signature annual events include the Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship.
Returning in August 2019 for its 36th edition, the world’s largest amateur golf tournament features 3,000 golfers competing on more than 50 of Myrtle Beach’s best golf courses.
Significant new 2018 bookings included the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities Annual Conference, attended by scientists from around the world.
Nearly $500,000 in enhancements for the center’s 25th anniversary included repainting the renowned Whaling Wall and creating a new entrance to the convention center from the Broadway at the Beach entertainment district.
Last September, local outlet the Island Packet reported “a sigh of relief” as Hilton Head avoided any impact from Florence. Following prior evacuations and damage from Hurricane Matthew and tropical storm Irma, it was welcome news indeed for the storied Lowcountry island.
Offering 3,000 hotel rooms and 150,000 square feet of flexible space in seven major properties including the Marriott Resort & Spa, Westin Resort & Spa, Sea Pines Resort and Montage Palmetto Bluff, the destination, behind more than $400 million in recent resort and community enhancements, is well positioned for 2019.
Coastal Carolinas CVB Contact Information (2019)
NORTH CAROLINA
Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority
252.726.8148
New Bern-Craven County CVB
252.637.9400
Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
252.473.2138
Wilmington and Beaches CVB
910.341.4030
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston Area CVB
843.853.8000
Hilton Head Island Visitor & Convention Bureau
843.785.3673
Myrtle Beach Area CVB
843.626.7444
Click over to page 2 for recent hotel and event venue updates in the Carolinas.
PageBreakHotel and Event Venue Renovations and Openings
NORTH CAROLINA
Wilmington
At least six new properties are slated to open in the downtown and surrounding area over the next three years. Anticipated spring 2019 debuts include the new 36-room ARRIVE Wilmington updating downtown’s historic former Wilmingtonian Inn. Late 2019 arrivals include the 109-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites Medical Center Drive and 207-room Tru & Tapestry Hotel from Hilton, replacing a current Ameristay Inn.
Marriott’s Aloft Hotels brand is coming to downtown Wilmington with a 125-room property scheduled for 2020 or 2021. The Avenue is a $200 million mixed-use project anchored by a Westin hotel and conference center.
Crystal Coast
Slated for a mid-to-late spring 2019, the new 133-room boutique waterfront Beaufort Hotel will offer 10,000 square feet of flexible space. Features will include a wrap-around patio offering panoramic views of the Rachel Carson Reserve, home to 30 of the island’s wild horses.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston
The new 179-room Hotel Bennett is now accepting reservations starting January 15, 2019. Collaboratively managed by Charleston-based Bennett Hospitality and Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the grand European-style property, at the corner of Charleston’s famed King Street and historic Marion Square, offers 12,000 square feet of elegant space, including the 6,600-square-foot Grand Ballroom. Features include a signature restaurant with outdoor dining terraces, concierge club, luxury spa and rooftop pool with bar.
Expansion of the Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms includes a new 150-room hotel with conference center and rooftop event venue, slated for fall 2020.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is underway withundergoing major upgrades ahead of the 2021 PGA Championship as part of its “Kiawah 2.0” revitalization plan. Projects include the new 150-room West Beach Villa Hotel. Slated for spring 2021, the property will offer 5,000 square feet of space and amenities including a grand boardwalk along the dunes. Scheduled for early 2020, the nearby West Beach Village Conference Center will offer 24,000-plus square feet of versatile space, including 10,529 square feet of divisible core space and 11 breakout rooms.
Myrtle Beach
In June 2017, Kingston Resorts opened The Landing at Kingston Plantation, its new multimillion-dollar spa, fitness center and event space. Incorporating Spa33 and 78Fitness, the 30,000-square-foot facility offers versatile meeting space that opens up to a spacious green with an outdoor fire pit, lawn seating and seasonal beverage station.
On Myrtle Beach’s famed Golden Mile, the oceanfront, nine-building Caravelle Resort, offering 4,000 square feet meeting space, completed an extensive renovation of its main building guest rooms and restaurant in June 2018
Breakers Resort is replacing two demolished buildings with a Marriott-branded resort. Construction is underway on the first of two towers; plans also call for two mixed-use areas housing retail, restaurants and entertainment. Construction on the first phase tower is in progress.
Construction is almost complete on a new three-story, 55,000-square-foot dining, retail and entertainment complex along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Opened in June 2018 on the third level, Nashville-based live music venue Tin Roof offers dining, full bar and oceanfront rooftop patio. In addition, plans reportedly call for the Boardwalk to be extended another block on the north to connect to a new Hilton hotel property.
