Patricia Schultz, the world famous International best-selling author of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” will be the guest speaker at South Eden Plantation on Saturday, February 22nd at 9:00 a.m. Sponsored by Southern Travelers Explore Thomasville, this event is part of a larger travel writers’ conference held in Thomasville the same weekend.
“We are thrilled that the organizers for Southern Travelers Explore Thomasville chose Thomasville as the location for their first writers group conference,” said Bonnie Hayes, City of Thomasville tourism manager. “Bloggers, writers, and other authors will be spending a fun and educational weekend in Thomasville networking and exploring our area and our unique local businesses. These types of events have the opportunity to lead to extensive media coverage and highlights throughout the year, all of which will have a positive economic impact on Thomasville’s bottom line.”
The latest tourism figures released by the state’s tourism office indicate that visitors to Thomasville/Thomas County in 2018 spent $77.29 million, created $15.53 million in payroll to the area and support 660 jobs. The money visitors spend in Thomasville provides $2.21 million in local taxes, which benefits local households by reducing the tax amount each Thomas County household has to pay by $295.
“Thomasville has become a top visitor destination. Each year we see more people coming into our Visitors Center and attending our local events. Our hotel owners recorded more room nights and say they are seeing an increase in overnight stays. It’s obvious that Thomasville is attracting more and more people looking for a relaxing southern getaway,” says Hayes.
Organizers for Southern Travelers Explore are inviting the public to come enjoy the speaking engagement with Patricia Schultz. “While the writers’ conference itself is only for attendees, everyone can come listen to world-renowned author Patricia Schultz discuss her book and her adventures to far off places,” said Hayes. Schultz has written multiple New York Times best-selling books. A veteran travel journalist, she has written for many publications including the Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel Weekly. “Welcoming a big name in the travel writing world to Thomasville is a unique opportunity,” said Hayes. “Thomasville is a special place with an enormous amount of history and character that speaks to and inspires travel writers of all ages.”
Tickets are $50 per person and include a signed hard backed copy of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.” Space is limited; tickets are available for purchase at the Thomasville Visitors Center (144 East Jackson Street). For more information, call the Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228-7977 or visit thomasvillega.com.