Survey Helps Travelers Discover Best Values in America

Raleigh, NC - Consistently recognized as a best place to live, work and play, now the Raleigh area can add affordability to its ever growing list of accolades. Hotwire.com, a leading travel discount site, has ranked the Raleigh area sixth on its list of Top 10 U.S. Value Destinations for 2013. The Annual Travel Value Index rates the Top 10 Destinations where travelers planning their next trip can find the best combination of value, entertainment options and attractions throughout 2013. This ranking marks the first time since 2010 that the Raleigh area has made the annual list.

Hotwire.com calculates results by evaluating the USA's top 50 leisure markets using a formula that takes into consideration low prices on hotel, airfare and car rental (50 percent of score); discounts on hotels, airfare and car rental (25 percent); and affordable entertainment (25 percent).

The Raleigh area has experienced a renaissance in the past few years with many major projects changing the landscape of North Carolina's Capital City. Visitor-related attractions including the Nature Research Center, the new wing of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, the Contemporary Art Museum, NC Museum of Art, NC Museum of History and Marbles Kids Museum continue to add to the more than 40 free attractions already available to visitors. New hotels, an emerging culinary and brewery scene and a designation as "North Carolina's Capital of Live Music" add to the destination's strength as a great place to visit. Affordable airfare with most of the major carriers represented at Raleigh Durham International Airport, and many price points among 135 current hotel properties tallying some 15,000 rooms, are additional reasons Greater Raleigh's inclusion in this list is a perfect fit for Americans looking for the best value for their money.

The Raleigh area is in good company. According to the survey the Top 10 U.S. Value Destinations include: Orlando (1), Atlanta (2), Tampa (3), Dallas-Fort Worth (4), Phoenix, Nev. (5), Raleigh (6), Charlotte (7), Houston (8), St. Louis (9) and Sacramento (10). Hotwire.com cites the Raleigh area a score of 85 with a high score for Low Prices.

"The Raleigh area is a natural to make the list," said Dennis Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We offer leisure and business travelers an affordable experience with world-class hotels, free attractions and a calendar consistently filled with free festivals and events."

The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, as the official destination marketing organization of Raleigh and Wake County, accelerates sustainable economic growth and development by increasing visitor and convention business.