The Bayou City experienced the biggest jump among U.S. destinations in TripAdvisor's latest report. Houston ranked No. 12, ahead of all other Texas cities.
Houston rose 13 spots on the 2014 Travelers Choice rankings compared with the 2013 list. The rankings are determined using an algorithm that takes into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, attractions and restaurants in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12 month period.
TripAdvisor says of Houston: "A thriving business center, the city has become increasingly cosmopolitan, with an influx of diverse ethnic groups and a strong emphasis on the arts. Opera, ballet, symphony and theater are all top-notch, and museums abound."
Greg Ortale, president and CEO of the Houston First Corporation members, says the latest rankings are a testament to the experience people are having in Houston these days. "In recent years we've taken tremendous strides to promote the new Houston-a dynamic and interactive Downtown, a thriving arts and cultural scene, fantastic pro sports teams and a world-class culinary experience, just to name a few assets. I'm pleased to see that our efforts are paying off and that Houston is getting the exposure it rightly deserves."
Recent coverage in publications such as Architectural Digest, Money magazine and Departures magazine has certainly elevated Houston's image among travelers. Traffic to the Houston First Corporation members's VisitHouston.com website network reached 3.6 million visitors in 2013, up 65% over 2012.
New York, Chicago and San Francisco topped this year's TripAdvisor list. The only other two Texas cities to make the top 25 U.S. destinations list were San Antonio (No. 16) and Austin (No. 18). Ten of the top 25 destinations in the U.S. this year are in the South.
