Press release: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/...75&newsLang=en
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The top destinations portion of the study uncovered some interesting year-over-year shifts in summer travel trends. Big-city destinations are more popular this year than last, with sections of New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles all moving up multiple places on the 2006 Top 50 list, or cracking the list for the first time.
Most significant was the popularity of Chicago among summer travelers. Chicago's Millennium Park area rose from the 35th most popular destination in summer 2005 to the #1 spot this year, replacing the Las Vegas Strip. "We are thrilled that travelers are choosing Chicago's Millennium Park as one of their favorite destinations," said Dorothy Coyle, Director, Chicago Office of Tourism. "Millennium Park offers visitors world-class art and architecture as well as a tremendous line-up of free performances featuring artists from Chicago and around the globe."
Chicago's North Michigan Avenue area was #2 on the list, rising three places. American summer travelers were largely U.S.-centric in their choices. Few international destinations made the list, possibly due to the weakness of the dollar overseas. Vancouver (#7 and #43) and London (#35) were the two most popular international destinations among Americans.
Other destinations that rose significantly in popularity this year compared to 2005 were Hilton Head (up 19 places), New York's Midtown East (up 15 places), Anchorage (up 13 places), San Antonio's Riverwalk (up 12 places), San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf (up 11 places) and St. Catharine's Niagara Falls (up 10 places).
Big winners in this year's Top 50 List include:
-- Chicago's Millennium Park. Opened in July 2004, Millennium Park has been steadily rising in popularity, jumping 34 places on priceline.com's list since last year. The 24.5-acre park features state-of-the-art venues for outdoor and indoor concerts and dance, gardens, art exhibits and sculpture. This summer, the park will feature performances by cellist Yo Yo Ma and the Joffrey Ballet.
-- New York's multiple neighborhoods. New York City is a year-round favorite for priceline.com customers. Whether it's the Fifth Avenue shops, Broadway plays, the hundreds of restaurants or catching the Yankees or Mets, the Big Apple can fill up summer vacations of any length.
-- Boston's Copley area. The biggest gainer on priceline's list, the Copley area rose 36 places compared to 2005. No wonder. For visitors and locals alike, Copley is the cultural center of Boston. Trendy shops, world-class dining and the city's theater district are all within walking distance.
History buffs can visit sites like Trinity Church, the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House. Towering over the scene is the John Hancock skyscraper with its observation deck.
-- San Diego's Point Loma and Shelter Island. Surrounded on three sides by water, the Point Loma/Shelter Island area is one of the most relaxing and scenic destinations in the U.S., which helps explain why it jumped 24 places on priceline's most-popular list for summer 2006. Visitors can walk the miles of beaches, explore the 150-year-old Point Loma Lighthouse, go whale-watching, see future America's Cup sail contestants hone their skills, surf with the locals or just kick back with a good book.> |
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