A time for reflection and wishes

As we prepare for the holiday season, one question seems to get asked more than any other, “What presents would you like under the tree?”

Today I wanted to offer that perspective from the hospitality and tourism industry here along the Grand Strand. Before I answer that question, let’s give thanks for what tourism means to each of us who live, work, and raise or have raised families in this wonderful place we all call home.

The importance of travel and tourism to our quality of life, our businesses and the Grand Strand economy as a whole has never been so important. Currently, hospitality and tourism account for a $6.5 billion economic impact and 74,600 jobs throughout our local community. Any way you slice it, we are the engine that drives the Grand Strand economy.

The year 2011 has certainly been one for the record books, including the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the worst recession since the 1930s, weak housing and labor markets, high unemployment, inflationary pressure, debt crisis, political impasses and now worries about higher taxes and even worse a double dip recession. It also marked the end of an extremely challenging decade for the travel and tourism industry. Yet in the midst of all of these challenges, our area’s tourism economy continues to lead the state of South Carolina, setting several records and is expected to exceed the national average growth in leisure travel of 2.2 percent in 2011.

While the recession continues to take a toll on each and every one of us, the good news is that 2012 projections show the strongest recovery will be in the travel industry. In fact, our industry outperformed the overall national economy during the first half of this year, according to the Travel and Tourism Satellite Account Program. In fact, projections show the travel and tourism industry will lead the way for the U.S. economic recovery.

So back to the question of what do we want under the tree this holiday season. First, we want to grow the one industry in our community (tourism) that has the greatest opportunity to lead us out of this economic downturn, reduce our unemployment numbers by growing hospitality jobs, and increase investments in our community.

As we count our blessings and make new dreams, remember your local hospitality industry and all of the people who will continue to show tremendous resilience and resourcefulness in leading the Grand Strand region on the path to a strong 2012 tourism season and the road to economic recovery.

On behalf of the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association and our members we wish you a happy holiday season and a happy new year.

Greene is president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association.