Orlando tops ten best overall cities: Hotwire
Hotwire.com named Orlando the 2012 destination where travelers get the most for their money. The discount travel site also named its top 10 cities where consumers planning their next trip can find the best combination of value, entertainment options and attractions throughout 2012.
“This year's index is dominated by Florida cities, making it an overall value state, while newcomers Charlotte and Albuquerque offer low prices to make their way into the top 10,” the site says.
The Hotwire Travel Value Index is based on a statistical model combining both in-house and third-party research. Hotwire evaluates the top 75 US leisure markets, rating them across three individual categories to generate an overall ranking for consumer vacation value.
Orlando, Fla. takes first place on the 2012 Travel Value Index after maintaining its presence as a value destination over the last four years. The new Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park further raised the entertainment value of a city already known for family fun. Tampa and Miami also make returns to the list this year for their low prices and entertainment options, making Florida an overall value state for travelers.
Charlotte, N.C. and Albuquerque, N.M. are two new cities to earn the title of value destination, each making their debut on the Travel Value Index for their overall low prices. Nicknamed "The Queen City," after Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III, Charlotte is also ranked as one of the top 100 places to live by CNNMoney because it combines the excitement of a bustling metropolis with good old fashioned southern charm. The other new city, Albuquerque, is the epicenter of Southwestern culture, and is widely recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the country.
Other “top tens” include Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix, Denver, Tampa and Miami.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season