National Geographic Traveler, in conjunction with National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations, has devoted its sixth annual “Places Rated” Destination Stewardship survey to the world’s most celebrated and iconic travel destinations and how they have weathered mass tourism and other threats.

The survey, conducted by the Center, is the cover story of the November-December 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine on newsstands November 3, 2009.  A total of 133 destinations were surveyed by a panel of 437 experts in a variety of fields related to sustainable tourism.

Norway’s Fjords region takes top honors (85 points) with judges noting its scenery and well-preserved rural life. Other destinations in the “Best Rated Places” category include Japan’s ancient Kyoto (#4, 79 points) for honoring the “serenity and charm of ancient Japan” and Slovenia tied at #5 (78 points) for being among the most sustainable and authentic places to visit in Europe.

Photo credit: © Kevin Arnold

Says Jonathan Tourtellot, director of the Center for Sustainable Destinations:

“We hope the survey will bring attention to the places faring well, as well as to those in trouble, often due to reckless development and commercialism. If there is a blessing to the global downturn, it is the respite from such rampant, quick-buck degradation of Earth’s remaining beautiful places.”

The best U.S. ranking was the state of Vermont at #5 (78 points), scoring well for its scenic countryside and environmental and social sustainability practices. Two other U.S. destinations made the top category: Oregon and Washington’s Columbia Gorge region (#6, 77 points) and Massachusetts’ Berkshires (#7, 76 points). Canada took places #2 (81 points) and #3 (80 points), for British Columbia’s Kootenay and Yoho national parks in the Canadian Rockies and for Quebec’s Gaspe Peninsula.

Photo credit: © Al Rod/Corbis

The panelists evaluated the “qualities that make a destination unique, measuring the ‘integrity of a place’ and assessing its authenticity and stewardship”. Their ratings were based on six criteria:

• environmental and ecological quality;

• social and cultural integrity;

• condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites;

• aesthetic appeal;

• quality of tourism management and >

• outlook for the future.

The destinations are divided into five categories (below with examples):

Best-Rated Places (in excellent shape, relatively unspoiled and likely to remain so: 85- to 74-point range) New Zealand’s South Island, Australia’s Kakadu National Park, Spain’s Medieval Granada and the Alhambra, Chile’s Torres del Paine, Portugal’s Douro Valley.

Places Doing Well (retaining sense of place, with a few surmountable problems: 73- to 64-point range) Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands, Maine’s coast, Italy’s Tuscany, Austria’s Salzburg historic center, Ireland’s Ring of Kerry, Yellowstone/Grand Teton region.

Places in the Balance (a mixed bag of successes and worries, with the future at risk: 63- to 53-point range) Michigan’s Traverse City and lakeshore, Arizona’s Sonora Desert region, Hawaii’s Maui and Island of Hawaii (Big Island), Jordan’s Petra, Texas Hill County, Bali, Cape Cod, Greece’s Santorini island, Turkey’s Azure Coast.

Places with Troubles (under severe pressures; many places working to recover: 52-to 42-point range) Honduras’ North Coast, New York’s Long Island Shore, Tahiti, Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, Great Smoky Mountains, Florida’s Everglades and Big Cypress, Beijing’s historic districts, Italy’s Venice and lagoon, Egypt’s Luxor archaeological area, pollution-plagued Chesapeake Bay.

Worst-rated (severe problems; some destinations fighting back, some not: 41- to 31-point range) West Bank’s Bethlehem, Dominican Republic’s north coast, Egypt’s Northern Red Sea coast, Spain’s Costa del Sol.

For more on the 133 iconic destinations rankings, visit National Geographic Traveler online.

Images courtesy of National Geographic Traveler

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