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You might think that some of America’s most popular destinations don’t even need to remind us how great they are.
Like a restaurant with a line out the door, the visual alone does all the marketing for them.
But the truth is that even the most renowned destinations are in a slump for one reason or another.
Maybe not in New York City, which could stop advertising tomorrow and still have the whole world lining up to visit, but there are still a handful of household names pouring tons of money into tourism campaigns in the hope that travelers like you will take the bait.
Ranging from instantly recognizable neon lights to some of America’s most beloved beach getaways, these 4 popular US destinations are practically begging for more tourists.
San Diego, California
Sunny San Diego?
Um, not so much now…
“June Gloom,” as locals like me call it, is in full force with gloomy skies and hoodie weather.
In July, San Diego becomes much easier to sell, but the city recently rolled out a major new tourism campaign to attract even more visitors, despite already being a household name.
While LA is riding the struggle bus, San Diego isn’t exactly desperate for more beachgoers. The city is desperate for revenue; However, after a massive budget deficit, officials doubled parking meter rates and controversially introduced paid parking at Balboa Park, despite fierce local opposition.
There are already plenty of Nevada and Arizona license plates on SoCal roads, but San Diego still wants to show off its world-famous attractions, the long-awaited glow of the airport and grand openings like the Element of Marriottthat breathes new life into an otherwise sleepy Mission Valley – while helping to shore up the city’s budget.
If there’s one thing San Diego has to offer, it’s safety. Well, maybe with the exception of the zombie land of the East Village and the fact that you have to pay attention to the extreme bacteria levels on popular beaches…
Travelers (myself included) currently rate San Diego’s safety levels at 84/100 on our Safety Index.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Are we ready to say an icon has fallen?
Not quite. Maybe we can intervene if people stop filling seats in The Sphere.
“Until then, Vegas still sees its fair share of tourists, but nothing like it used to.
Riding the wave of widespread complaints about sky-high prizes, I’ve personally sworn off visiting Vegas again, because even if you win big on the slots, you still end up losing one way or another once the final bill arrives.
Sin City isn’t quite in “crisis mode” yet, but the once unbeatable getaway has become more unpleasant than inviting, with costs everywhere to address and a growing sense that travelers are paying more for less.
As such, tourism officials have done so launched a much-needed image refresh, hoping to remind travelers why Vegas became “great” in the first place – and convince them it’s still worth the gamble.
Even with less fanfare, the city also has some work to do on the safety front. The current safety score is 78/100:
Virginia BeachVirginia
Everyone knows where Virginia Beach is, I mean it’s right there in the name…
But its appeal goes beyond prime oceanfront real estate. It is one of the most sought-after beach destinations on the East Coast, outside of Florida.
Unfortunately, Virginia Beach has experienced a series of violent incidents recently, including two oceanfront shootings officials to impose a temporary measure Curfew in part of the resort district.
Yeah, that’s not exactly the warmest welcome mat for outsiders looking for a relaxing beach vacation, right?
As a result, the city is putting $1 million into a new tourism campaign aimed at reassuring travelers that Virginia Beach remains a safe, family-friendly getaway — and keeping disturbing headlines from drowning out everything else the city has to offer.
Has the damage been done? Maybe.
But it cannot be denied Virginia Beach still meets all the requirements for a summer vacation: soft sand, warm Atlantic waters, oceanfront restaurants and enough space to make the crowds manageable, even though it is a very popular outing.
Despite some unfortunate incidents that made headlines, Virginia Beach is still in the green, with a current score of 80/100:
Hawaii
The only thing standing in the way of Hawaii’s annual dominance was Mother Nature, after the fires in Maui made travelers question whether Hawaii was not only ready to visit, but also ethical.
Take it straight from the horse’s mouth, as my southern roots show Hawaii is indeed poised to become a powerful destination again, it doesn’t matter if you explore Waikiki, Maui, or a secluded black sand bay as your favorite beach paradise.
You can still imagine the devastation of Maui, but tourism is the lifeblood of the Hawaiian economy. Responsible visiting means supporting local restaurants, booking local tours, respecting restricted areas and helping communities move forward instead of being left behind, and that’s what Hawaii’s latest tourism initiative is all about.
