Another good year for South Carolina's tourism industry

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — As the summer tourist season begins to wind down, the numbers show it's been another strong year for South Carolina's $18 billion tourism industry.

Figures released by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism show that through the first half of 2015, room occupancy and average room rates were both up, as was revenue per available room, a key indicator of industry health.

The lodging figures were compiled by STR Inc., a company that tracks tourism trends. The company forecasts modest growth in room occupancy through the end of the summer.