Charleston’s retail sector thrives amid summer tourism

Charleston International Airport (CHS), the largest and busiest airport in South Carolina, welcomed a record 6.1 million passengers in 2023, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. With July being the busiest month for travel, Charleston experiences a surge in tourism during the summer.
Additionally, the influx of new residents has increased visitation to popular Charleston landmarks. Migration trends over the past 12 months show that most new residents have come from New York/New Jersey, Washington/Arlington, Atlanta, Greenville, and Phoenix, respectively.
In the past two summers, visits to Charleston’s shopping destinations have outpaced those to stadiums, sporting venues, beaches, and major tourist attractions combined. The King Street Shopping District has experienced the highest traffic, attracting over 3 million visitors during the summer months.

September 10, 2024

US-SC-CRW Charleston