AP NewsBreak: SC tourism slumps sharply in '09
  The Associated Press 
 
 CHARLESTON, S.C. -- New figures show how badly South Carolina tourism was battered by the Great Recession. 
 The figures from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism show tourism was off 8 percent in 2009. Tourism had an impact of $14 billion after years of generally steady growth. The impact was down from about $15 billion the previous year. 
 Agency spokesman Marion Edmonds said Wednesday the industry has been steadily rebounding and he thinks the loss has been made up by now.