Irene hurts Myrtle Beach weekend hotel occupancy

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Researchers at Coastal Carolina University say that weekend hotel occupancy is taking a hit in Myrtle Beach because of Hurricane Irene, even though the storm is forecast to move onshore about 175 miles up the coast in North Carolina.

They say that based on their sample of hotels and campgrounds, occupancy this weekend along the Grand Strand is expected to be between 65 and 75 percent. That compares with almost 90 percent occupancy last weekend.

Earlier in the week, projections had Irene coming into Myrtle Beach, and researchers say whenever a hurricane threatens the Mid-Atlantic coast, occupancy in Myrtle Beach suffers.

South Carolina’s beaches are the heart of the state’s $14 billion tourism industry.