Chattanooga named one of best places to travel worldwide in 2023
Scenic City made Forbes list of 50 global destinations; Chattanooga Tourism Co. anticipates more visitors
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — There’s excitement throughout Chattanooga, as the city was recently named one of the best places to travel in the world in 2023 by Forbes.
The Scenic City was featured alongside Botswana, Spain, and the Canary Islands, among other destinations.
The folks at Chattanooga Tourism Company are beyond excited about their inclusion on this selective list in Forbes, which reaches more than 140 million people worldwide.
Hugh Morrow, the Tourism Company’s Chairman of the Board, says those in city hospitality “could not be more excited.”
He says Chattanooga is ready to host even more tourists in the years to come, in part due to the publication.
“I do think we can grow what we’ve been doing,” Morrow said. “We’ve done that over the last 10 to 12 years anyway, so it just gives us another tool to go forward and help people make that decision to come visit Chattanooga.”
Morrow also attributed “legacy attractions,” such as Rock City and Ruby Falls, as key in assuring return trips to the Scenic City.
He also says the “resiliency” of travelers who visit during tough times has further maintained growth in city hospitality.
“People have been still traveling through the COVID years and everything else — they want to be out and about,” Morrow said. “So it’s onward and upward, and I think the sky’s the limit on what we can do to bring people to our great city.”
Chattanooga’s Senior Advisor for Communications, Kirsten Yates, says the Forbes reveal isn’t just a reflection on the city’s tourism but also on its residents.
While she says the natural outdoor beauty attracts tourists, she says it’s Chattanoogans that make visitors feel at home away from home.
“We have an incredibly strong community spirit of generosity and kindness,” Yates said. “We’ve got a rich, diverse culture here. So there’s really something for everybody and together that makes an incredible package both for visitors and residents alike.”
Chattanooga Tourism says the Forbes article “encourages readers to explore Chattanooga’s outdoor activities, attractions, public art, and more.”
On top of being one of 50 places to visit worldwide, what’s arguably more exclusive is that it was one of only 11 domestic locations to also make the list.
