| Pigeon
Forge, TN – January 2012 / Hospitality 1ST / TripAdvisor named Pigeon
Forge, Tenn., 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.
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Pigeon Forge - gateway to
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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“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:
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A TIME.com feature cited
Pigeon Forge as one of its “9 Most Christmassy Towns in America.”
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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.
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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.
Information about all aspects
of visiting Pigeon Forge is available online at MyPigeonForge.com
or by calling toll-free to 1-800-251-9100.
Media Contact:
Tom Adkinson, APR
for Pigeon Forge Department
of Tourism
tadkinson@bohanideas.com
615-341-8796
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