Walhalla, SC - With the Mountain Laurel in full bloom, Mother Nature set the perfect stage and Oconee County Parks, Recreation & Tourism (PRT) and Oconee County Parks and Tourism Commission provided the man-power to host 18 travel writers and photographers from Georgia, Alabama, Indiana, South Carolina and North Carolina, May 18-20, for a weekend full of outdoor adventure. Through a media familiarization trip organized by the Oconee County PRT and the Oconee County Parks and Tourism Commission, travel writers from such publications as The State newspaper (Columbia, SC), the Asheville Citizen- Times (Asheville, NC), Points North magazine (Atlanta, GA), Sandlapper magazine (South Carolina), and the Forsyth Daily News (Atlanta, GA) researched the county for upcoming travel articles in their newspapers and magazines. Café Central, a syndicated lifestyle and travel television program that airs in 54 markets from Washington, DC to Texas also participated in the trip.

The goal of the weekend was to introduce Oconee County to hundreds of thousands of potential visitors who will read about the area’s recreational, dining and accommodations in the resulting articles and television program.

“This was a great opportunity to showcase the natural beauty, genuine hospitality and incredible recreational resources that Oconee County offers,” said Phil Shirley, Director of Oconee County Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “The community support we received to produce this event was amazing, and I want to recognize and thank all of local businesses and individuals who partnered with us to make this weekend such a resounding success.”

Guests checked into lake front homes provided by Mountain Lakes Vacation Rentals on Friday, feasted on Coach’s Low Country Boil from the T-60

Grill, then set off on a pontoon cruise courtesy of Harbor Light Marina across Lake Hartwell to a mock-up of a campsite at Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area. Here, campfire, S’mores and Bluegrass kicked off the weekend with music by Bill Lowe and Cripple Creek accompanying the perfect sunset.

Activities for the weekend included a whitewater rafting trip down the Chattooga River hosted by Nantahala Outdoor Center and Wildwater Ltd., an historic tour of Stumphouse Tunnel guided by local author Betty Plisco and a visit to Issaqueena Falls. Also included was a boat cruise on Lake Jocassee provided by Jocassee Outdoor Center, hiking at Chau Ram County Park, and an overview of the Foothills Trail by members of the Foothills Trail Conference. Oconee County’s rich history was brought to life with a visit to the Oconee Heritage Center, and by Luther Lyle, Chair of the Oconee County Arts & Historical Commission who related tales from Native American occupation to present day.

The travel writers also got a real “taste” of Oconee County, dining at many of the area’s local favorites. Mountain View Steak & Seafood provided an incredible dinner on Saturday night. Lunches were provided by Humble Pie Pizza on Saturday and The Walhalla Steak House Cafeteria on Sunday, and hearty breakfasts were served by Lucky Strike and The Huntsman’s Club at Foxwood Hills.

The Travel Writers Weekend concluded the National Tourism Week celebration that recognized the importance of tourism to Oconee County as a sustainable and primary source of economic impact, jobs and related industries.

South Carolina’s number-one industry, tourism generates over 43 million dollars annually and employs over 1,100 jobs in Oconee County.

(Pictured) Cafe' Central TV crew prepares for a riding report down the Chattooga River.