San Antonio on must-see list
1 of 21 of magazine’s 2018 destinations
By David Hendricks STAFF WRITER
San Antonio’s River Walk is highlighted in the new issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine that lists the city among its 2018 best places to visit.
National Geographic Traveler magazine has given San Antonio an early gift for its tricentennial celebration next year.
The magazine named the Alamo City as one of the world’s 21 must-see destinations for 2018 — along with the world-renowned locales of Madagascar, Dublin, Ireland, and Oaxaca, Mexico.
The list is published in the magazine that went on newsstands Tuesday and can be viewed online at: NatGeo Travel.com/BestTrips2018.
“Party like it’s 1718,” the magazine declares, explaining that the five San Antonio Spanish missions are Texas’ only World Heritage site, as designated by UNESCO.
“Three centuries of history inspired San Antonio to throw a big-as-Texas Tricentennial Celebration. Join the year-long party at the kickoff New Year’s Eve concert and fireworks extravaganza or at any of more than 550 scheduled arts and cultural events,” the article states.
Only two other U.S. cities are included on the list, Cleveland, Ohio, and the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
“Our mission is to inspire curiosity and encourage our readers to explore the world with passion and purpose,” George Stone, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler, said in a statement. “The 21 places that we profile make for a year of exhilarating discoveries and a dream itinerary for intrepid travelers. Our list is fun, vivid, surprising and rewarding.”
More than 34 million visitors come to San Antonio every year, Visit San Antonio said Tuesday.
The magazine’s 9. 6 million readers “have the highest passport ownership, most international and domestic trips and most outdoor recreation spending of any other travel title,” Visit San Antonio said in a news release.
“That’s a huge recognition. The worldwide distribution of the magazine is impressive. The magazine is all over the world. It’s in over 180 countries,” said Marco Barros, CEO and president of the San Antonio Area Tourism Council.
Condé Nast Traveler, Fodor’s and Frommer’s also have listed San Antonio as a must-see travel destination. Travel + Leisure magazine named San Antonio one of the friendliest cities in the nation in October.
Visit San Antonio CEO and President Casandra Matej, said the National Geographic Traveler listing shines a spotlight on the city.
“As San Antonio prepares to celebrate its tricentennial in 2018, this incredible honor arrives at a special place in our timeline as one of the most authentic, culturally celebrated destinations in the world,” Matej said. dhendricks@express-news.net