Vacation Inns of America (VIA) has recently announced intentions to build a new hotel/resort complex in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Assume that the hotel/resort market in Myrtle Beach is characterized by monopolistic competition. As a result of the new VIA hotel/resort, tourists who stay in Myrtle Beach are likely to experience a : a. a product-variety externality, which harms consumers.
b. product-variety externality, which benefits consumers.
c. business-stealing externality, which harms consumers.
d. business-stealing externality, which benefits consumers.

b

Explanation:

A monopolistic competition is when there are many firms selling differentiated products in an industry. A monopolistic competition has characteristics of both a monopoly and a perfect competition. the demand curve is downward sloping. it sets the price for its goods and services.

An example of monopolistic competition are restaurants  

When firms are earning positive economic profit, in the long run, firms enter into the industry. This drives economic profit to zero

If firms are earning negative economic profit, in the long run, firms leave the industry.  This drives economic profit to zero

in the long run, only normal profit is earned

The product-variety externality: When new firms enter into an industry, competition drives price down. This increases consumer surplus. As a result, entry of firms into an industry results in a positive externality on consumers.  

The business-stealing externality: When a new firm enters into an industry, existing firms lose customers and profits fall. As a result, entry of a new firm results in a negative externality on existing firms.