TripAdvisor named Pigeon Forge, No. 4 on its list of the top 15 U.S. destinations “on the rise for 2012.” Pigeon Forge is a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and host to more than 10 million visitors every year.
Tennessee music mecca, Nashville, topped the TripAdvisor list, followed by Austin, Texas, and Fort Myers, Fla. Pensacola, Fla., was in the fifth spot behind Pigeon Forge.
“These U.S. destinations have really piqued TripAdvisor travelers’ interest over the last year, making them great options to consider as thoughts turn to vacation planning for 2012,” said Karen Drake, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor.
Administrators at TripAdvisor, which says it is the world’s largest travel review website, compiled the list. Rankings were based on reviews and searches done by the site’s users.
In slots six through 10 were Louisville, Ky., Branson, Mo., Scottsdale, Ariz., Saint Augustine, Fla., and Charleston, S.C.
In slots 11 through 15 were Albuquerque, N.M., Wildwood, N.J., Asheville, N.C., Park City, Utah, and Santa Cruz, Calif.
“This kind of recognition is very exciting because it shows how interesting Pigeon Forge is to many types of travelers,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the city’s tourism department.
“One reason consumer interest remains high is how much change happens in Pigeon Forge. New attractions such as the Titanic Museum Attraction, the Great Smoky Mountains Lumberjack Feud and the Smoky Mountain Opry Show open frequently, while other businesses constantly expand. A big expansion in 2012 is Dollywood’s $20 million Wild Eagle roller coaster,” he continued.
Other recent praise for Pigeon Forge:
· A TIME.com feature cited Pigeon Forge as one of its “9 Most Christmassy Towns in America.”
· Positive consumer reviews in 2011 led to a Travelers’ Choice Award for the Inn at Christmas Place from TripAdvisor when the hotel was named one of the Top 25 Hotels in the U.S. It polled sixth on that list.
· Pigeon Forge itself was named to the TripAdvisor list of the Top 10 Best Family Destinations, and the Inn at Christmas Place was named the top-reviewed family-friendly hotel in the city.
Loading ...
