ABQ one of 9 U.S. destinations in magazine’s best travel places

Top 50 list includes Duke City as one of world’s most exciting spots to discover

Travel + Leisure, the travel magazine with a U.S. audience of nearly 5 million readers, has named Albuquerque one of its 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018.

The Duke City was one of nine U.S. cities included on the list, which included destinations on every continent on the globe with the exception of Antarctica.

After asking their “A-List travel specialists and members of its own staff” to weigh in on 50 most exciting destinations to discover in 2018, Albuquerque made the cut.

“Rising above its associations with the annual hot-air-balloon festival, Albuquerque will this year set out to prove itself as a fully fledged destination,” according to the article in the publication’s current edition. The article highlights several new and upcoming Albuquerque destinations and experiences, including The Sawmill District, Hotel Chaco, One Central and the proposed Sandia Mountain Coaster. It also includes information about the increased airlift in and out of the city.

“It is truly an honor to be named one of the best places to travel in 2018 by such a prestigious industry publication,” said Tania Armenta, president & CEO of Visit Albuquerque. “This inclusion is a remarkable testament to the public and private investments in our city that have created such a positive impact on our mission of bringing visitors to Albuquerque.”

Albuquerque was also named on T+L’s America’s Favorite Cities list in 2016.