In recognition of the 21st annual National Tourism Week, May 8-16, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will host welcome receptions for travelers at all three of its offices.

Visitors will be treated to refreshments Monday through Friday (May 10-14) at the Ashby Ward Official Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand Welcome Center in Aynor. Member businesses will join in greeting visitors by displaying special promotional materials and offering giveaways.

The Myrtle Beach and South Strand offices also will extend a special welcome to vacationers and offer light refreshments Monday through Friday (May 10-14). In addition, the South Strand office will feature a display of whimsical, vacation-themed artworks by area middle school students.

The chamber�s offices are at 1800 U.S. 501 W., Aynor; 1200 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach; and 3401 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. All Myrtle Beach area employees who work in the tourism industry are encouraged to wear red on Wednesday, May12, which has been designated �Wear Red Day� to demonstrate the prevalence of tourism-related jobs in the work force.

National Tourism Week was established in 1983 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress. The objective is to promote a wider understanding of travel and tourism as a major industry that is vital to the economic growth and stability of the United States. �Tourism Works,� a newspaper insert produced by the chamber, will be distributed throughout the area during National Tourism Week.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has stood for 63 years as the unified voice of the Grand Strand�s business community. The chamber serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, Atlantic Beach, Garden City Beach, Loris, Conway, Aynor, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, and Pawleys Island. For more information, call (843) 626-7444.

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Media Contact: Holley Aufdemorte +1 843-916-7218 aufdemh@mbchamber.org