South Africa: Cape Floral Region, with Table Mountain
Score: 67

"A superb natural setting, a world 'postcard' icon. Parts of Cape Town are historically great. On another side of the mountain is one of the world's finest botanical gardens, which is in itself a tourist attraction. But shanty towns are evident in other near areas."

"The obvious ecological problem is the invasive species, and while the government does a great job in terms of employing low income people as the workforce for alien vegetation removal, little is done in terms of education of tourists on these issues."

"Urban sprawl too rapid and developers often show scant interest in environment; extensive golf/estate development; benefit to locals limited; losing authenticity; policies seem to be in place, but often disregarded or adapted to suit development."

"The fact that visitors have to take an aerial lift to the mountain may help to keep crowds down and minimize damage to the site. It is good, too, that the tourist areas in the Cape Floral Region are widely dispersed. Cape Town proper offers a variety of hotels, activities and services to the visitor and the wineries and towns are thriving from tourism, but it is not clear how locals outside the traditional and exclusive groups are benefiting."

"I live in Cape Town and visit the National Park almost every day. Urban sprawl presents grim environmental challenges. For the most part I am personally nervous that many of the species will not last another 20 years."