In 2001, the tourism and travel industry ranked first in the state as the largest employer and the largest "export." That year, the state hosted about 29 million visitors with total visitor spending at about $7.1 billion. Approximately 132,400 South Carolinians are directly employed by the tourism industry. About 75% of travelers are from out-of-state. Nearly one-third of all trips are day-trips. About 75% of out-of-state tourist revenue is spent by vacationers in Charleston and at the Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island resorts.
The Cowpens National Battlefield and the Ft. Sumter and Kings Mountain national military sites are popular tourist attractions. Golf is a major attraction, generating more income than any other single entertainment or recreational activity. In 2001, visiting golfers generated a total annual economic impact of about $1.5 billion.
There are 46 state parks and nine welcome centers in the state.