CNN names scotland as world’s top travel destination for 2013

The ‘Year of Natural Scotland Scotland 2013′ has got off to a flying start after the country was named the world’s top travel destination in 2013.

CNN Travel’s feature cited the recently launched Scottish National Trail, Scotland’s “pristine lochs and haunting glens” and the dramatic Glencoe landscape featured in Bond film Skyfall as key reasons to visit.

The Year of Natural Scotland is one of a series of year-long “winning year” celebrations, following on from 2012′s Year of Creative Scotland (building on the buzz from the 2012 Olympics and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations) and in advance of the Year of Homecoming Scotland 2014 (key milestones being the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles).

CNN’s designation took into account international buzz, major events, savvy marketing and economics when compiling its top destinations. “When compiling our list of 2013 hot spots, we took into account all of the above and more while canvassing travel sites, experts and organisations to identify up and coming destinations based on bargains, significant events and important new services, such as added airline routes and major hotel openings“.

Scotland beat off competition from seven other destinations including Amsterdam, Columbia, Slovakia, and Morocco. These were all rated above other “trending” locations for 2013 like Montenegro, New Zealand, Miami and Japan.

There are a host of events and festivals taking place in Scotland during 2013 under the banner of the Year of Natural Scotland. These include the Mountain Biking World Cup at Fort William, the Tiree Wave Classic surfing competition and the Great Scottish Swim.

I can only echo CNN’s comments – clearly, CNN are similarly “Wild about Scotland”.  It’s great to see Scotland acknowledged as a world-class tourism destination.

CNN Travel said of Scotland: “Anyone who saw the 2012 James Bond thriller “Skyfall” walked away wishing they too could race through Scotland’s dramatic countryside and hide out in its misty Highlands“.  This got me thinking about what other good films have been shot in Scotland… read my next post for my Top 10 Scottish film locations.