Discover Why Tucson is Set to Shine as a Top Travel Destination in 2025!

What do Dominica, Greenland, and the Dolomites in Italy share in common with the city of Tucson?

All of them have been acknowledged on BBC’s latest enumeration of “The Best Places to Travel in 2025.” This is quite a significant honor since Tucson stands as one of merely three U.S. locations on the compilation of 25 sites globally.

“We are ecstatic and privileged to be recognized as one of the leading travel spots for 2025,” expressed J. Felipe Garcia, President and CEO of Visit Tucson. “This recognition highlights the exceptional efforts of our community and collaborators to craft unforgettable experiences for guests while safeguarding the rich legacy and dynamic culture that render Tucson truly remarkable.”  

Ranked at number 7 (again, out of 25), Tucson earned its position on the list due to its culture, rich history, dedication to sustainability, and designation as a Unesco City of Gastronomy (the very first in the nation).

You don’t have to scroll very far down the list, but here’s what Lynn Brown from the BBC remarked:

“Tucson has numerous achievements to commemorate in 2025. This year signals the 10th anniversary of its recognition as the first city in the U.S. to receive the Unesco City of Gastronomy title, alongside the 250th anniversary of the city’s founding. Once part of Mexico, the region currently known as Tucson will honor its distinctive multi-national heritage, as well as the deeply rooted Native American cultures that make it exceptional, with a complimentary event on August 23 that features traditional Mexican music and dance at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson. Visitors throughout the year can traverse Tucson’s extensive desert hiking paths and historical structures — like the 250-year-old San Xavier del Bac, famously referred to as the “White Dove of the Desert.” This type of preservation highlights why the city is poised to attain a Sustainability Index Award from the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS) this year.

“However, while the history of the building is noteworthy, the adjacent gardens unveil an even more profound narrative: they represent the oldest continuously cultivated soil in the U.S. 4,000 years prior, the ancestors of the Tohono O’odham cultivated squashes, beans, and corn on this ground. After integrating and blending with Mexican and other Indigenous flavors through the ages, many of these ancient herbs and crops continue to be staples in kitchens throughout the city. Diners can delve into the city’s distinctive culinary scene at one of its city-of-gastronomy-certified restaurants or Heirloom Farmers Markets, which regularly showcase unique local ingredients such as chiltepin chilis, edible cacti called nopales, and prickly pear.”

If you’re contemplating a visit to Tucson soon, or if you’re a local seeking new eateries to explore, take a look at our interactive guides.

Also, think about becoming a Tucson Foodie Insider! For $20 each month, Insiders receive a bundle of cash vouchers to local restaurants worth over $6,000, free tasting events at local establishments monthly, access to members-only monthly dinner series featuring local chefs, discounts on events, and monthly mixers with fellow members. Learn more and become a member!

For further details or to plan your trip, please browse www.visittucson.org To read the complete BBC article, bbc.com.

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