By | Posted Jun 28th, 2018 @ 7:01pm
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is a top destination to visit, according to the publishers of the Michelin Guide for travelers. In fact, it’s the very first state to receive a three-star rating from the organization.
Editors rated Utah’s five national parks and accessibility to other “hidden gems” outdoors across the state. It added local hospitality also factored into the rating, along with six other variables.
“Utah is a beautiful state, a destination worth making a special trip for American and international visitors,” Philippe Orain, editorial director of Le Guide Vert Michelin, said in a statement.
In addition to its parks, the online guide touts Utah’s “surprisingly lively” capital in Salt Lake City and its skiing.
Utah must be the birthplace of sport and outdoor nature activities! This huge playground is home to fabulous parks where you can indulge in all sorts of recreational activities amid breathtaking scenery,” the site says about Utah.
According to a statement from the company, each star in its rankings is a recommendation of sorts. It said one star means a destination is “interesting” and a second star means it is “worth a detour.” No state had three stars prior to this week.
Vicki Varela, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film, described the travel guide as one of the best in the world that people “use like a Bible” for traveling because of their thoroughness and trustworthiness.
“You’ll have a great time the next time you visit a Michelin three-star restaurant because it’s the best of the best,” she explained, adding that it’s a major honor for Utah to be the first state designated in the same regard.
“It’s street cred,” she said. “They are recognizing that our destinations and our people are among the very best in the world, that when you come to Utah, you have a unique and transformative experience. … They’re basically saying, ‘Three stars:
You must see Utah.’”
Bryce Canyon National Park
Highly recommended