What states made Myrtle Beach a top search for spring break vacation? You’ll be surprised
Iowans are apparently looking to Myrtle Beach to trade the cold and cornfields for the sun and beach this spring break 2024.
According to Google Trends, the top states searching for Myrtle Beach as a spring break destination over the last month are South Carolina and Iowa.
Myrtle Beach being a top vacation search for Iowa may seem strange as there are no direct flights from Myrtle Beach International Airport to any Iowa city. Also, the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau does not typically market to states on the western side of the Mississippi River, according to its website.
The most searches for Myrtle Beach came from the north of Iowa near the Minnesota border and the east side of Iowa near Illinois, according to Google Trends.
“Although we haven’t run any targeted marketing campaigns specifically in Iowa, we continue to see a rise in interest from origination markets farther away than we’ve experienced in the past,” said Stuart Butler, the Visit Myrtle Beach chief marketing officer, in an email to The Sun News.
Butler attributes positive media attention catching people’s eye and word-of-mouth recommendations as potential reasons for Myrtle Beach’s success in Iowa. Myrtle Beach has been getting more popular across the United States, he said.
“In 2023, we were the fourth most-searched destination on Tripadvisor by domestic travelers, following only iconic locations like New York City, Las Vegas and Orlando,” Butler said. “This surge in interest reflects the growing awareness of the unique and unforgettable experiences we offer.”
Although it may be more expensive and time-consuming to make it to Myrtle Beach from Iowa, Myrtle Beach is known as a budget-friendly beach city. This could appeal to Iowans who live far from the ocean.
