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.

Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
Score: 65

"Beautiful—really spectacular. Dugongs, dolphins, and whale sharks all populate these waters. The islands were hit by cyclone Favio in 2007, which caused significant damage to parks, tourism facilities, andvegetation—now recovering. The World Bank's Transfrontier Conservation Area program and the proactive outlook of the municipality is encouraging in relation to conservation and local participation."

"Great environmental and ecological quality (seven whale sharks in one snorkeling afternoon). Tourism development is not well managed and is geared to the top 'white' end of the spectrum; the relationship to the locals is mostly servile. The area has immense potential, but it should be managed in a more sustainable way."

"Tourism development becoming increasingly inappropriate, with large Saudi investors completely uninterested in sustainability principles."

"It is important that overdevelopment is resisted."

"One of the few places with unspoilt environment, and tourism has not yet spoiled it. However the local population needs to benefit from it."