Panelists exchanged comments, which were kept anonymous to maintain survey neutrality during the rating process. These lightly edited excerpts offer a glimpse of panelists' varied points of view and the reasoning behind each score. They are not the views of the National Geographic Society.
Egypt: Islamic Cairo district
Score: 53
"The heat, dust, and chaos are what tourists expect in this busy district which provides homes and livelihoods as well as tourist souvenirs. It works; it is in balance."
"It is still a delight to enter into this Islamic enclave … where life goes on as it has seemingly done forever."
"The air is polluted and the buildings need repair and restoration. There is no planning, and newer buildings are not in harmony with the old. When 'restored,' the older buildings seem too new, almost glossy."
"Although having very distinctive archaeological sites, Islamic Cairo is not well employed in the Egyptian tourist programs—the focus is still on Pharaonic Egypt. To sustain the Islamic Cairo district, the whole area needs social, cultural, and economic development."
"Aesthetic appeal is high as it evokes past centuries in a natural manner. Yet tourism development is at best haphazard, chaotic, and detached from a policy for conservation. Very limited information for tourists, who always seem lost. Sustainability very problematic."
Egypt: Pyramids of Giza
Score: 50
"The visitation pressure here is enormous, and vendors of souvenirs are a constant distraction. Nonetheless, the experience of being in a landscape dominated by the pyramids transcends all of this. Nothing anyone has read or seen can truly prepare one for this."
"Truly a world-class resource but lacks the definition of a special place. The modern suburb over-washes the experience. There is seldom a quiet moment to contemplate the significance of the pyramids."
"The most notable news is the construction of a new home for the Egyptian Museum, perhaps the greatest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world. This may have dire consequences for Cairo, but should be a benefit for the Pyramids region of Giza. The design looks, on paper, very smart. Protection of the Sphinx rates high, and the control of illegal vendors keeps the area from devolving into mayhem."
"Of all the major sites in the world, this is the one where the most people seem to come away disappointed. The slums march right up to the base of the pyramids, the smog gets worse every year, and the touts are relentless. Not a pleasant experience for visitors."
"Poor signage and interpretation. Lots of hassling of tourists—difficult to look at the structures for a minute without being offered something. In spite of some 'no climbing' signs, still lots of tourists go up the blocks. Very visible encroachment of urban areas in the vicinity."
"Fascinating like the pyramids, and the area around still has a lot of authenticity. The main problem of the site is the people factor—the local merchants, taxis, etc. are harassing tourists too much and giving a bad image to the area."
"The architecture and the landscape in which it is set are magnificent. A way to lessen the friction between visitor and vendor would do much to render the experience at these sites a more contemplative one."
"Site management has improved, the pressure of tourist flow seems to be more under control by closing particular tombs for some time and by indicating the visitor paths."
"Serious concern because of overcrowding at sites without obvious capacity limits; damage to sites now and over time is of great concern. Too many visitors, too many vendors, and too many boats on the Nile."
"Large problems persist related to ground water issues affecting historic monuments on both sides of the Nile in Luxor. Things have improved at the Valley of the Kings in the past three years with better site interpretation and tourist management."
