(AP) -- MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. The South Carolina coast has seen some of its coldest temperatures ever this winter and that has led to fewer tourists along the Grand Strand.
The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported Sunday that hotel occupancy rates were off about 7 percent from Jan. 10 through Feb. 20 compared with the same period last year.
Hotel owner Mayur Jeram says a cold Valentine's Day weekend left him with more empty rooms than usual and he had to drop rates or offer specials to get the customers he did get.
Breakers Resort general manager John Daniels says the one bright spot might be that the long cold winter through much of the country has people dreaming about summertime. And that could mean more reservations for when the weather does improve.
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