[DiscoverMB]

‘BOOST’ OUTRAGED AT CITY’S CHECKPOINTS;
CALLS ON CITY TO REMOVE ROADBLOCKS TO TOURISM

(Myrtle Beach, SC – May 13, 2009) ... Business Owners Organized to Save Tourism (BOOST) today expressed outrage and disappointment at the City of Myrtle Beach’s decision to embark on a series of traffic checkpoints during this week’s Spring Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Rally.

“We’ve asked the City to reconsider its decision and to discontinue these roadblocks effective immediately,” said BOOST spokesperson Tom Herron. “For motorist of all kinds, not just bikers, these heavy-handed Gestapo-like tactics are shameful.”

“Considering the devastating twofold economic tsunami that businesses are facing – a major worldwide recession and the City’s decision to pull up the welcome mat to hundreds of thousands of bikers – our members are in a state of shock,” Herron continued. “The Visitor and Tourism Information page on The City’s official website proclaims ‘We’re glad you’re here!’ but their actions speak much louder than words. We’re not challenging the City’s legal right to set up these roadblocks, we’re challenging their moral obligation to support our community. The timing is anything but coincidental. By their own admission, this is the first time they’ve done so during the Spring Rally.”

BOOST members have been reporting that business is down all week because of the small number of bikers attending the Rally. “We have hotel members who are looking at bookings worse than February.” Herron continued, “Business is not just off, its way off. Some report 70% fewer room nights booked than last year at this time. And it’s not just hotels and so-called ‘biker-bars,’ but popular establishments like Studebakers who are reeling from the effects of this blitzkrieg against motorcyclist. With so many bikers avoiding the City limits and so few bikers visiting the Strand, we’re amazed that they chose this additional step to further alienate people from visiting this beautiful vacation spot.”

[TheInsider]

It is actually quite amazing to watch a city destory itself. I'm stunned at what the city of Myrtle Beach has done along with the chamber of commerce to destory tourism here. To any other city reading this, "Take notes". This is not the way to run a tourism related economy.

[jdmacfam]

BOOST IS RIGHT ON! WHAT A SHAME AND HOW VERY LAME OF MB TO BE DOING THIS TO ITS VISITORS!!!

[bburg86]

I agree. It's crazy. We've been here since monday and there have been all kinds of road blockages and checkpoints..I feel like i'm being punished for being on vacation, and i'm not even a biker! I dont blame them for staying away from Myrtle beach.

[Sandie]

I dont know why the city is making a big deal over the whole bike week thing. I mean their money is just as good as anyone elses. Mayor needs to go. Im not a biker, but unless there was some serious issues going on with them, leave them alone. What was this mayor afraid of, having the bikers in Myrtle Beach? I know a few people at work that ride bikes and would of loved to of been down there during bike week, but if it was their first time going and this was going on, chances are they would not return. Its rediculous. Does this mayor not care about the businesses that depend on these kind of events?