Pigeon Forge Scores Big in Inaugural TripAdvisor Award for Family Destinations

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (March 10, 2011) – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.’s, reputation as a family favorite vacation site was reinforced when TripAdvisor members ranked it as America’s No. 4 most popular family destination in a new poll. 

TripAdvisor, which describes itself as the world’s largest travel website, released its inaugural Top 10 Best Family Destinations list and gave the cities its 2011 Travelers’ Choice Award.  

It simultaneously named the top-reviewed family-friendly hotel in each destination. In Pigeon Forge, that is the 145-room Inn at Christmas Place. 

Ahead of Pigeon Forge in the top three spots were Williamsburg, Va., Virginia Beach, Va., and Lake George, N.Y. Filling out the Top 10 behind Pigeon Forge were Branson, Mo., Gatlinburg, Tenn., Corpus Christi, Texas, Port Aransas, Texas, Daytona Beach, Fla., and Destin, Fla. 

“This is especially pleasing because families are our core customers, and millions of them choose Pigeon Forge every year,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. 

“It’s cool that this acknowledgement from visitors comes on the heels of our advocacy program last year called ‘Taking Vacation Back.’ That program stressed how important vacations are to family traditions and memories, which is something our guests obviously believe,” Downey continued. 

Destinations on the Top 10 list had the greatest number of recommendations from reviewers who traveled with family. Winning hotels received the highest review ratings from family travelers.  

Earlier this year, the Inn at Christmas Place ranked No. 6 on TripAdvisor’s list of the highest reviewed hotels in the nation. 

The complete 2011 Travelers’ Choice Family lists are at www.tripadvisor.com/TCFamily, and complete visitor information about Pigeon Forge is at www.MyPigeonForge.com and available by calling toll-free to 800-251-9100.