South Carolina city ranks among top trending US destinations

A South Carolina destination has grown in popularity — and now ranks among the nation’s trendiest places to visit this spring.

North Myrtle Beach ranks No. 10 on a list of cities that people are increasingly curious about visiting, according to results that the short-term rental company Airbnb published last month.

To create the list, Airbnb said it studied searches that people on its website conducted for potential trips in March and April. It then compared those figures to the same period in 2022 to determine year-over-year interest.

While Airbnb didn’t have specific insight into why searches about North Myrtle Beach were growing, the company told McClatchy News in a March 14 email that “trends show guests are looking forward to warmer weather.”

Also, U.S. travelers are hoping to be near the water or historic places, as rentals in the categories “Amazing Pools, Beach, and Iconic Cities” top the list of most-booked spring trips on Airbnb.

North Myrtle Beach boasts “stunning natural beauty and small-town charm,” with lots of outdoor activities and beachfront to explore, according to state tourism officials. Experts say a dance style called Carolina Shag also has roots in the city.

North Myrtle Beach received national recognition after it got snubbed on another recent list. In February, no places in South Carolina landed near the top of another rental website’s list of “most sought-after” summer vacation spots, McClatchy News reported.

This time around, North Myrtle Beach was the only place in the Palmetto State to earn a spot in the top 10. Airbnb said the highest-ranking place was Augusta, Georgia, which is set to host the Masters golf tournament in April.

Rounding out the top five trending travel destinations:

• Kansas City, Missouri
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Steamboat Springs, Colorado
• Fort Worth, Texas