CLEVELAND — For the second time in a week, Cleveland is getting recognition from an international travel company as one of the must-go locations for 2015.
Travel and Leisure had Cleveland on its list last week for its Best Places to Travel in 2015, and this week Fodor’s added the former “Mistake on the Lake” to its Go List.
For the people at Destination Cleveland who are in charge of promoting what our city has to offer, making these lists serves as validation for the hard work being done to improve Cleveland’s image.
“Just strong validation for this community that from the highest places that look at where people travel,” said David Gilbert, President of Destination Cleveland. “They’re recognizing us as a great place to be. It’s really exciting.”
Cleveland sits on a list next to places like, Romania, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Barbados, to name a few. Other U.S. destinations that made the list were the Jackson Hole, Wyoming and the Florida Panhandle.
Clevelanders have always been their own worst enemy when it comes to the reputation of our city. Now that we’ve made these lists, Gilbert hopes it convinces some of the locals as well.
“Our job is to amplify the message. And part of that is to locals. Part of that is just getting them to try what they have in their community,” he said. “We encourage people to try things in the community that you’ve never done before.”
He added, “Sometimes you need to get outside your comfort zone and try new things. You do that when you travel to another place, so try to do the same thing in your community.”
The museums, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Orchestra have long been popular venues in our city that are recognized across the county. But it’s up to the people who live here to make sure visitors get a taste of the hidden gems Cleveland has to offer.
Gilbert says everything we’ve needed to be successful has always been here. I asked Gilbert what he likes best about the region.
“I love the neighborhoods. I love exploring Tremont and Gordon Square. And even places like Chagrin Falls, or Hudson or Olmsted Falls. Places with great, historic downtowns.” He also raved about the Metroparks and other things.
We could credit the return of LeBron James or sealing the deal to bring the Republican National Convention as reasons Cleveland has shot its way to the top. No matter the reason, it’s important the the city continues to push forward to become popular to the masses — not just the travel writers.
“We can’t let off the gas. I think the effort that’s been put in with all these things over the past few years, now we have to double-down,” said Gilbert.
“We are so far ahead of where we were. And these kinds of rankings give us an opportunity to help take it to another level.”