MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – During Tuesday’s Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, the city was proclaimed an “Autism Friendly Travel Destination,” in efforts to support the autism community and encourage tourism.
The Champion Autism Network, or CAN, has been training some restaurants, hotels, and other Myrtle Beach businesses to become more autism friendly. CAN says Myrtle Beach’s proclamation is an expansion of Surfside Beach’s Autism Friendly proclamation that took place in 2016.
CAN says they are hoping that the city of Myrtle Beach’s declaration will increase awareness and support for the autism community.
Becky Large, the executive director of CAN says the city’s declaration could bring more tourists to the area.
“It’s always been a goal with everything we do to try to have a win, win, win. A win for the city, a win for CAN; a win for the city. One of the driving factors was to create economic impact here. We’re a loyal population; we’re a growing population, and if we can continue to support them, autism families, they’ll continue to come back,” Large said.
“We also encourage them to not come during the high season, so we’re trying to build traffic during the shoulder season to increase the season, to create economic opportunity for people who serve in the hospitality industry,” Large said.
To learn more, click here, or visit championautismnetwork.com.
