Michael Mayo’s Palmetto Outdoor Center business is booming.

He told West Columbia City Council Dec. 4, he expects the business on the Saluda, Broad and Congaree rivers to get even better.

“My job is to get people to come enjoy the river,” said Mayo.

“I want to wear them out so all they want to do is get something to eat at one of our fine restaurants, and stay in our hotels.”

Getting them on the river gets children out of the house, he said.

In the warmer months, Mayo’s company shuttles about 10,000 tubers from one river access point to another. The trips begin on the Lower Saluda, for a float over white water rapids to a take-out at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater.

Mayo markets the service to several states.

He told council the Congaree River offers the appeal of Spanish moss and white water rapids.

He thanked West Columbia officials for providing access to the river, a key to his business’s success.

Mayo also presented statistics to City Council showing that 28% of his clientele drive to the region specifically to go tubing.

He draws heavily from North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

“Some of these customers also passed Disney World to get wet,” Mayo said.

He has welcomed visitors from as far away as California, Washington state, Washington DC and Virginia, too.

Mayo also said 18% of his market was in the area visiting family or friends and decided to stay an extra day to enjoy tubing.

Mayo described Palmetto Outdoor, which is in its 14th year, as the largest outdoor outfitter in the state.

In addition to attracting river recreation, he markets the area as a place to relocate, he said.

Mayo also said more is coming.

“If you’re excited about this, you haven’t seen nothing yet,” he said.