WHERE’S the only place in the UK worth visiting this year? The answer is close to home – Dundee. The City of Discovery has been rated one of the top European destinations for 2018 by travel bible Lonely Planet.
It is the only spot in Britain to make the top 10 in a list that this year is headed by Emilia-Romagna, which is described as Italy’s “number one destination for food lovers”.
Must-visit parts of Albania, Lithuania and the Netherlands also feature.
Commenting on Dundee’s placing at number six, Lonely Planet editorial director Tom Hall said the soon-to-come opening of the landmark V&A design museum has put the city on the map for international travellers.
He said: “While visitors have always been assured of a friendly welcome, Dundee has often been overlooked by travellers to Scotland, but that should be set to change.
“The opening of V&A Dundee is a really exciting moment that marks the city out as well worth a visit, but throw in nationally important museums and attractions and its dynamic, creative spirit, and travellers will find a city boasting plenty to discover.”
The long-awaited museum is set to open in September and Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of tourism agency VisitScotland, said: “The city is fast becoming the star of the Scottish travel scene and thanks to accolades like this one, more and more people will discover what we have known for some time, that Dundee is a must-visit destination.
“The city represents the very best of modern Scotland. It is home to welcoming people, a thriving creative scene, exciting new businesses and a diverse range of fascinating attractions.
“This is an exciting new chapter for tourism in Dundee. The excitement is palpable and the tourism industry is working hard to capitalise on this unmissable opportunity.
“Now is Dundee’s time to shine. Now is the time for the world to discover Dundee.”
Praise for the birthplace of Dennis the Menace follows similar recommendations from The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Bloomberg and the Guardian.
It was selected alongside scenic Cantabria in Spain, “beguiling” Friesland in the Netherlands, hiking wonderland Kosovo and Provence in France. The Small Cyclades islands of Greece, Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Slovenian wine region Vipava Valley and Albanian capital Tirana also made the grade.
Councillor John Alexander, leader of Dundee City Council, called inclusion on the list a “tremendous badge of honour” for the city.
On long-term plans for sustainable tourism, he said: “Partnerships between public, private and third-sector agencies and joint working in teams combining art, science and balance sheets have been a hallmark of putting Dundee well and truly on the destination map.
“We are just over halfway through a 30-year masterplan to completely transform the waterfront and re-connect the Tay with the heart of the city. Development land is already being earmarked for hotels, residential, retail and leisure uses by some of the world’s top brands including AC by Marriott.
“We’re a thriving cruise ship destination, a hub for creative industries, media and life sciences and a Unesco City of Design that is committed to fairness and social justice. Dundee is determined to succeed and our ambitions for the city and its people are sky-high.”
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