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http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/intro-text
This is the sixth annual survey of destination stewardship to appear in National Geographic`s travel magazine Traveler. It was conducted by the National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations.
The 437 experts in the panel were asked to evaluate only the places with which they were familiar, using National Geographic`s customary six criteria, weighted according to importance:
environmental and ecological quality
social and cultural integrity
condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites;
aesthetic appeal;
quality of tourism management
outlook for the future
As National Geographic writes on its website:
"The Fjords, which topped the charts in our 2004 rankings, get even higher marks this year. "About as good as can be done,"says one panelist. The gorgeous scenery and the "well-preserved Norwegian rural life" are vigorously protected, plus "the local people seem to benefit." Should keep a wary eye on the growing cruise business. The Geiranger Fjord - Geirangerfjorden, and the Naroyfjord - Nærøyfjorden, stand now also on UNESCO`s World Heritage List.
The top 10 are:
85 Fjords Region, Norway
81 Kootenay/Yoho National Parks, British Columbia
80 Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec
80 South Island, New Zealand
79 Ancient Kyoto, Japan
78 Vermont, U.S.
78 Slovenia
78 Kakadu National Park, Australia
78 Medieval Granada and the Alhambra, Spain
77 Bavarian Alps, Germany
Stein Morten Lund, 25 November 2009
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