Santa Fe: A class by itself
It is not often that all are called to vote early and vote often, but Santa Fe is engaged in a competition that encourages just such actions. That’s right, in this election, we can all vote multiple times — and the reward, for the city we love, is immense.
Santa Fe is one of 23 finalists for the coveted “Destination of the Year” awarded by Travel + Leisure magazine. By the way, that does not mean best destination in New Mexico, or even inside the United States or greater North America. No, this award goes to the best destination in the world.
Competition is stiff, with other finalists places such as New Orleans, the state of California and international destinations like Greece or Peru. Winning means more than bragging rights. This is the kind of publicity that money can’t buy and that can be used again and again even after results are published in the magazine.
Already, Santa Fe has been honored in the 2017 National Geographic World Legacy Award because of its unique “Sense of Place.” This type of recognition is important to a city competing for business. What traveler doesn’t want to visit a oneof-a-kind city, rather than take in a destination that looks just like home.
Tourism Santa Fe, which announced that Santa Fe was in the running, is working hard to engage voters, hitting social media and asking business partners to participate. To join in, visit www.travelandleisure.com/poll-destination-of-theyear-2017. Share with friends on Facebook, Twitter or other social media (#VoteSantaFe is the hashtag.) Tell everyone you know. And vote, just as often as the site allows.
Finishing at or near the top of these contests means that Santa Fe remains on the minds of travelers, the people who will visit and spend money in restaurants, hotels and in stores. These travelers will take in the arts and culture, visit Native pueblos and carry home authentic goods made by hand, often by local artists of all backgrounds. Once here, tourists can be hooked, visiting repeatedly over the years.
A thriving tourism industry boosts small-business owners, provides jobs and improves our quality of life. Great restaurants, lively nightclubs, outstanding cultural events and worldclass museums shouldn’t just be for visitors. They make Santa Fe an attractive place to work and live. Such amenities are why we have such a sublime sense of place. (In Northern New Mexico, we are not alone in being special — Taos is being touted as one of the best places in the world by U.S. News and World Report to spend Christmas. It has been named third behind Prague and and Vienna; you can vote at www.travel. usnews.com/rankings/best-christmas-vacations/and help Taos move up for next year.)
The Travel + Leisure contest runs until Nov. 14, with a winner announced the next day. Currently, Santa Fe is running second to Slovenia (Slovenia?). That can’t be allowed to stand. Vote. Tell your friends. Share the news widely. Santa Fe is a contender, and with everyone’s help, it can win.