Myrtle Beach Seeks Larger Tourism Tax Share

Myrtle Beach City Council unanimously approved an agreement with the Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative to ask South Carolina lawmakers to change the state-mandated split of the city’s 1% Tourism Development Fee from 80% for tourism promotion and 20% for the city to a 60-40 division. Under the proposal, the city would use half of its increased share for property-tax credits for permanent residents and the other half for tourism-related improvements and new attractions. City officials say the current share is consumed by tax credits, which have grown substantially, leaving no fee revenue for tourism capital projects. The agreement does not change the allocation immediately; state legislation is needed, and local officials and business leaders plan to pursue the change with lawmakers.