Myrtle Beach is #1! Really!

Which two words are more popular, according to search engine Yahoo - Lindsay Lohan or Myrtle Beach?

Yahoo reported last week that the term "Myrtle Beach" was the top hit on its search engine, ahead of top searches like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears. In addition, AOL reported that Myrtle Beach is the most-searched beach in the United States. And if that weren't enough, a national survey ranked Myrtle Beach as the second most popular family summer leisure destination, right behind Orlando, Florida. We're in good company!

"All of this positive attention could encourage more visitors to consider Myrtle Beach," said Brad Dean, of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. The Hard Rock Park and The Market Common, both scheduled to open next spring, could also be generating the added interest.

Apparently all of this interest in Myrtle Beach is working. The Myrtle Beach airport reported 13.3% growth in the number of passengers during the month of July, compared to the same month in 2006. It's the 11th consecutive year of growth at the airport. Much of the traffic increase can be attributed to the local growth of Spirit Airlines, and new local startup Myrtle Beach Direct Air, which has more than doubled its monthly passenger numbers since starting service in March.

All of the reasons folks have purchased real estate here are now stronger than ever, and Myrtle Beach is now more popular than ever. Add in a buyer's market, and you've got the best of all possible worlds!