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Colorado Springs Ranked Among Top 10 “Emerging Destinations” in the World

Olympic City USA No. 7 in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2021 ranking

Colorado Springs, Colo. – February 16, 2021 – Colorado Springs recently earned the No. 7 spot on a list ranking the top 25 emerging destinations in the world. It is one of only two United States destinations on the TripAdvisor list, which is part of the travel website’s 2021 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards. Published annually, the Travelers’ Choice awards use reviews, ratings and saves from travelers worldwide to “spotlight the very best.”

TripAdvisor’s description of Colorado Springs reads, “A crossroads for historians, sportsmen, architects, artists and gourmands, Colorado Springs offers a delightful mix of Western charms. Sunny skies and crisp mountain air make it a perfect place for a golf outing, extreme sports or a picnic in one of the many, many well-maintained parks.”

“Consistently seeing Colorado Springs recognized in national – and international – rankings not only speaks to the magnificent beauty of our City, but also to our welcoming nature and our adventurous spirit,” said Mayor John Suthers. “Colorado Springs has always been a wonderful place to visit, but with the return of tourism in 2021, we have more to offer than ever before. We look forward to the grand opening of the new Visitor Center on the summit of Pikes Peak and the return of the Cog Railway this spring, plus the award-winning U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum.”

“Prior to the pandemic, Colorado Springs kicked off 2020 on a high note with inclusion as #13 on New York Times 52 Places to Go list among a vast range of global destinations,” said Doug Price, President and CEO of Visit Colorado Springs. “We’re excited to see our destination continue to grow on an international scale and can’t wait to welcome more visitors again this year.”

Home to natural wonders like Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain and Garden of the Gods Park, Colorado Springs has a growing economy, booming housing market and is a recognized hub for tourism in the Western United States. Its placement on this list adds to a trend of recognition that has been given to Olympic City USA over the last several years, including these 2020 superlatives:

  • No. 1 (tie), Most Desirable City in America, U.S. News & World Report (Oct. 2020)
  • No. 1, Place to visit for fall colors and COVID-19 safety for tourists by Lawn Love (Oct. 2020)
  • No. 1, Housing market by Realtor.com (March 2020)
  • No. 2, Best U.S. vacation destinations for remote work by Rent Café (July 2020)
  • No. 4, Best Places to Live, U.S. News & World Report (Oct. 2020)
  • No. 13, New York Times 52 Best Places to Go (Jan. 2020)

The only other U.S. destination on TripAdvisor’s ‘emerging destination’ world list was Panama City Beach, Fla., ranking second. Sunshine, beach access and affordability for vacationers were cited as reasons for its placement. Martinique, a Caribbean island, topped the list.