Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism Industry in SC

April 13, 2020

The disruption from Covid-19 certainly presents a challenging picture for South Carolina’s tourism industry. TourismEconomics estimates that from February 1^st through April 4^th, visitor spending in South Carolina was down $768 million below 2019 levels. Actual losses in visitor spending is almost certainly larger since strong growth in 2020 revenues was expected. Using historical data from the US Travel Association’s TEIM model, SCPRT estimates that losses to South Carolina’s food and beverage sector for this same period are around $192 million below 2019 levels. Initial estimates for the 2020 calendar year suggest that overall tourism revenues in South Carolina may be down 50% below expectations. Having worked in our tourism industry for 35 years, I echo our Governor’s belief that we South Carolinians possess the spirit and determination to rise to any challenge and overcome any difficulty, no matter how great or small. The way we will do so is by working together to solve the economic problems of COVID-19, thereby ensuring not only recovery, but also our success, in the weeks and months to come.