Branson has received national recognition, not once, but twice
in the past two weeks for being one of the top places to visit for
Christmas lights and train travel.

Branson made No. 6 in Yahoo Travel’s Top 10 Destinations for
Holiday Lights that came out Nov. 22.

The article tells readers about Silver Dollar City’s elaborate
An Old Time Christmas, as well as the mile-long drive-through
holiday light display, Branson Area Festival of Lights and Shepherd
of the Hills Homestead’s The Trail of Lights, which winds through
the 160-acre homestead just west of Branson. Other destinations
that made the list were New York City; Newport Beach, Calif.; Walt
Disney World; Denver; Chicago; McAndenville, N.C.; San Antonio,
Texas; the state of Virginia and Baltimore, Md.

“Online, Yahoo has has so many people reading their sites,” said
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Public Relations Director
Lynn Berry. “Those (sites) really do offer so much exposure.”

She said oftentimes the information is picked up by other
national media sources, which gives Branson even more exposure.

Berry said people tend to put a lot more stock into information
about Branson when it comes from an outside source.

In another Yahoo Travel story that came out in late November,
Branson Scenic Railway was listed as one of the best in 5 Scenic
Train Rides Through America.

The story tells readers about Branson Scenic Railway’s
candlelight dinner train and the holiday Polar Express train.