TIME Selects Detroit in World’s Greatest Places List
Detroit, Michigan, was named one of the World's Greatest Places in 2022 by TIME magazine for its resilient people, rich heritage, and diverse culture.
DETROIT, MI (July 12, 2022) – Today, TIME revealed that Detroit, MI was selected in the third annual list of the World’s Greatest Places. The list highlights 50 extraordinary travel destinations worldwide, and the story of Detroit’s resilient people, along with a rich heritage of design, innovation, and diversity, ensured that it was part of this prestigious cohort.
To compile this list, TIME solicited nominations of places—including countries, regions, cities and towns—from its international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences. TIME’s piece on Detroit’s rapid recovery and detailed only a small handful of experiences that visitors can expect.
From TIME’s article on Detroit: “Nearly 10 years after Detroit filed for bankruptcy, travelers can now play a role in the city’s vibrant economic recovery by simply driving through. Detroit was recently selected as home of the USA’s first electric-vehicle charging road, solidifying its title once again as the Motor City—but for the modern age.”
“Visitors come to Detroit to experience our world-changing music scene, the heartbeat of American innovation, and vibrant culinary possibilities, but they fall in love with the people and the stories of our region,” said Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari. “Visit Detroit proudly embraces our role in attracting millions of visitors every year, and now that TIME has named Detroit one of the World’s Greatest Places, we look forward to welcoming even more.”
“Detroit has become a beloved destination for travelers from across the globe. There’s something magical about experiencing the birthplace of the American automobile industry, exploring the legendary Motown music scene, experiencing the delectable culinary creations and so much more that the city has to offer,” noted David Lorenz, Vice President, Travel Michigan. “In many ways, Detroit is the gateway to experiencing Michigan, and being recognized as a World’s Greatest Place by TIME, further validates Michigan’s role as a premier global travel destination for generations to come.”
What Michigan Leaders Are Saying
“The Motor City is on the move and will continue to put the world on notice as a top-tier destination to live, work, play, and visit,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Already recognized as the number one emerging ecosystem for startups and selected as the home of the 2024 NFL Draft, Detroit continues to grow, attracting talent, events, and investments from across the country and around the world. In Michigan, we will continue getting things done on the kitchen-table issues that matter most so we can keep growing the state’s economy, ensure families have a great quality of life at a good cost of living, and build on our rich, diverse culture. The story of Detroit over the last century is one of resilience and strength, and the future looks bright.”
“It’s gratifying that TIME has recognized what Detroiters always have known: that Detroit is a great city with an extraordinary history,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “We still have work to do, but Detroit is in the midst of a real rebirth – one that many had thought was impossible just a few years ago. Thanks to the efforts of city residents and employees, and the support of our business and philanthropic community, the reinvestment that began in our downtown core has spread to neighborhoods across the city. Opportunity is more abundant and equitable today than at perhaps any time in our city’s history. All of this adds up to more people seeing Detroit as a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.”
“Detroit is truly the textbook definition of a great American city, and not simply because it is the largest city in Michigan, said Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. “What powers Detroit is the same energy that fuels Wayne County; the inherent strength of our cultural and ethnic diversity, our history of confronting and overcoming near-crippling adversity, and our ferocious spirit. The Spirit of Detroit is a flame that can never be extinguished.”
“As a Detroiter, this means the world to me,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Detroit is one of the best places to live, work and play. It is full of diverse, talented, spirited, resilient, and deeply friendly people. It is a center of arts, culture, and innovation, where Detroiters are chasing their dreams and blazing new trails into a bright future. Governor Whitmer and I are proud of the strong partnership we have forged with Detroiters, and we celebrate this unique achievement. We are committed to continuing our work to put Detroit not only on the list of greatest places, but at the very top.”
See the full list here: www.time.com/greatest-places.
Visit Detroit is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to market and sell the metropolitan Detroit area on a worldwide basis as a destination for leisure and business travel including conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings, tours and incentive travel to maximize additional visitors, visitor expenditures, state and local tax revenues and job opportunities.
More than 700 businesses are represented in Visit Detroit’s membership. Visit Detroit was founded in 1896 as the world’s first convention and visitors bureau. visitdetroit.com
