Charleston celebrates 10 years as No. 1 City in the U.S. in the Travel + Leisure world’s best awards
July 12, 2022
The Charleston region’s unique blend of hospitality, history, culture and creativity continues to shine in the eyes of travelers. For the tenth consecutive year, the readers of Travel + Leisure ranked Charleston the No. 1 City in the U.S. In addition, readers ranked Charleston as the only U.S. destination among the 25 Best Cities in the World.
The news was shared this morning on the TODAY Show by Jacqui Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure.
“We never lose sight of the fact that readers determine who receives these prestigious awards. Travelers today desire authentic experiences – genuine connections with locals and their stories. The Charleston region delivers, thanks to the incredible people in our community,” said John LaVerne, Explore Charleston’s Board Chair and Founder of Bulldog Tours.
“Being recognized by such a highly-regarded publication for the tenth year not only strengthens our relevance among travelers, it underscores the significant role that travel plays in the local economy. Just as the competition for travelers’ discretionary spending has increased as communities recover from the pandemic, so has the competition for these respected accolades and the associated downstream benefits they generate,” continued LaVerne.
“Tourism remains one of the area’s leading economic drivers. In many ways, its success paves the way for further economic and corporate growth,” said Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston. “A thriving visitor market positively impacts the community, creates jobs and generates a stronger tax base that reduces the reliance on property taxes paid by local residents.”
The College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism Analysis recently reported the total economic impact of the visitor industry in the Charleston area grew to a record $10.6 billion in 2021. The percentage of countywide sales attributable to tourism increased to over 23%.
In addition to the Best U.S. City award, The Loutrel and Wentworth Mansion were named among the 15 Best City Hotels in the Continental U.S. and the 100 Best Hotels in the World.
Kiawah Island remains a favorite destination for Travel + Leisure readers. The island community was voted among the 25 Best Islands in the World and No. 2 on the list of the 15 Best Islands in the Continental U.S.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina and Wild Dunes Resort were again named among the 10 Best Resorts in South Carolina.
The following hotels were named by Travel + Leisure readers as the 15 Best Hotels in Charleston for 2022 (listed alphabetically): The Dewberry, Emeline, French Quarter Inn, Grand Bohemian Hotel, Hotel Bella Grace, Hotel Bennett, John Rutledge House Inn, The Loutrel, Market Pavilion Hotel, Planters Inn, The Restoration, The Spectator Hotel, The Vendue, Wentworth Mansion, Zero George.
The complete results of the 2022 World’s Best Awards Survey are featured on TravelandLeisure.com/Worlds-
As the region’s destination marketing and management organization, Explore Charleston represents ten municipalities across three counties. It seeks to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area, create overnight visitation, and support responsible development through travel and tourism strategies.
