England: Yorkshire Dales
Score: 77
The Dales, much of which form a national park of valleys and villages, stand out as "an icon of sustainable tourism." Visitors are rewarded with "wonderful" farmhouse B&Bs, great hiking opportunities, and "friendly village pubs." But high housing prices are driving away young people, and limited public transportation poses problems.
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"The symbiotic relationship between the managed and the natural landscapes here is what perpetuates the appeal of the Dales for visitors and makes it an icon of sustainable tourism development. Ask most visitors, and they won't have realized that much of the landscape is managed, which is a sign of a healthy and appropriate environmental-management plan that includes local stewardship practices. Social and cultural integrity are fiercely supported and nurtured, and intense community pride is evident in every town and village."
"Still largely unspoiled, although southern dales are under weekend pressure from the large conurbation of the Leeds-Bradford area. National park authority very conscious of visitor pressures and generally managing numbers well."
"The city of York is one of the best "hub destinations" in the U.K. It is highly underestimated as a capital city in the classical sense."
"Yorkshire Dales, either the beginning or end of the North Sea-to-Irish Sea walking route, is one of the few places on the planet where humans have improved upon nature. If the B&Bs in town are full, the homeowner standing before you will call friends until you are looked after."
Scotland: The Highlands
Score: 77
Popular with visitors since the time of Queen Victoria, the Highlands don't give "the sense that they're a tourist destination." Local people are part of the attraction and "appear to be in control of development for their benefit." Second homes and nonlocal workers in the hospitality industry have begun to threaten the authenticity.
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"Surely one of the most spectacular regions in the world. The landscape and scenery, the small townships, the heritage links (including those highlighted by such recent films as Braveheart) provide this region with endless attractions. For the most part, the landscape and environment have not been seriously harmed by commercialization, and the opportunities for local involvement in tourism enterprises makes this region particularly well positioned for landscape conservation and economic development."
"The Highlands score well in terms of environmental and ecological quality, and for social/cultural integrity. The region has exceptional aesthetic appeal. Local heritage is fascinating and protected by national bodies. Tourism is honeypotted; it is more traditional and authentic farther away from the main centers. The government has a goal of making Scotland Europe's most sustainable destination."
"As a Scotsman I am often embarrassed by what visitors experience in the Scottish Highlands. The scenery remains spectacular if somewhat melancholy, but visitors are more likely to be served here by East Europeans than by locals, many of whom seem to resent visitors. There are few genuine villages, particularly on the west coast, where communities generally feature scattered houses with no real central focus. Fort William is one of the drabbest places on the planet, and Aviemore remains a clumsy and unsuccessful attempt to graft a new, purpose-built resort on an attractive natural environment."
"Despite the decline in traditional industries and farming in many areas of the highlands, the area has captured the trend toward sustainable tourism well, integrating diversification into the cultural and tourism vocabulary."
"The highland estates need to be broken up and there needs to be an improved capacity for housing to repopulate the landscape to reflect its heritage better. The reintroduction of some species, such as beavers, is fantastic and should be done alongside efforts to regrow the Caledonian forest."
"I was gobsmacked by the beauty of the Welsh countryside," says one panelist. "Extraordinary, verdant, and with 500,000 Welsh speakers," chimes in another. The only drawbacks seem to be rainy weather and environmental degradation from mining.
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"Stunning landscape and strong sense of place and cultural identity. Economic sustainability has benefited from EU funding. I have worked with local residents on cultural heritage; there is a strong sense of ownership and cultural identity linked to heritage and landscape."
"The requirement for both English and Welsh on signs is what makes this region. Visitors have a sense of history as well as contemporary life (which in some cases don't differ very much)."
"Some good individual initiatives and local policies, but fragmented by a lack of leadership. Rural areas mostly outstanding, but some real problems in urban areas. Needs more connection."
"The Welsh are among the happiest people I've met. Any pub in Wales will welcome visitors and entertain them with the local natural knack for storytelling and singing."
"A beautiful, scenic part of the world, with lovely people and communities, where sustainability looks to be possible in many parts. Cultural heritage is clear (and clearly promoted), and supported by locals. Reasonable efforts to ensure sustainability of environmental and social qualities; some larger urban areas face some difficulties, but overall, future sustainability outlook is positive."
"A veritable mix of industrial and rural environments that provide quite diverse cultural backgrounds. Some coastal towns overdeveloped for tourism; others lack quality tourism facilities, although this is changing. Comparable to Ireland and Scotland, but not as well known or commercialized."
Marvelous diversity on a relatively small sliver of land, ranging from tin mines with World Heritage status, to celebrated gardens, coast trails, and architecturally rich towns like St. Ives. Also here: overloaded beaches and "tacky" Land's End.
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"Cornwall has become very popular with second-home owners, surfers, and domestic and international tourists in the past few years. Since the area is essentially one of unspoiled countryside and farmland with narrow roads and small settlements, it is hard to see how this trend can be maintained without severe impacts on the environment. Places like St. Ives are already struggling to cope with the volume of people and traffic, and some of the more accessible beaches and towns are overcrowded at peak times. Tourism here is highly seasonal, with a beach/coastal focus; a wider focus might be more sustainable. Transport in Cornwall is difficult; most tourists need a car to get around. This will be a big problem if numbers continue to rise."
"Environmental/ecological quality is high, although there are concerns about the water quality of the most popular beaches, some of which failed EU standards for 2009. The tourism economy continues to flourish with EU funding, and many small, farm-based tourism businesses have diversified. The Eden Project has had a beneficial effect, as has the World Heritage designation for the Cornish Tin Mines."
"This is a mixed bag of aesthetically pleasing areas and fascinating heritage sites and places (both folklore and industrial), but there are also some very "tacky" developments, such as at Lands End. There are accessibility problems in some of the coastal and rural areas (narrow roads, "overcrowded" with vehicles during peak vacation season). Recent Historic Landscape Characterization studies should be able to underpin sensible planning policies."
"Generally excellent on all criteria, though there are problems in the most popular tourism locations, where the purchase of second/holiday homes has driven prices out of reach of local residents."
"One of the most significant World Heritage sites," a place of "spiritual energy" that is compromised by busy roads right around it. In spite of this, many people find it a moving experience.
Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:
"Stonehenge is an iconic landmark, governed by robust management. The visitor experience is intensely managed, but with a certain amount of "herding" that diminishes the experience of the place. The plans for the site seem to be well considered from the perspectives of landowners, visitors, and archaeological integrity and seek to replace the current inadequate and tired facilities with others that can assist in the management of the massive visitor figures each year."
"For nearly 50 years I have been drawn back to this place, and it continues to delight. Sure, it was possible to walk among the stones once, but with the numbers of visitors now involved that is no longer possible. The pathways and unobtrusive facilities are excellent and a model of what can be done by serious people."
"Good environmental control. High pressure from tourism but good strategies in place for their distribution in the landscape. New management plan shows a vision for the place built upon sustainability."
"The number of buses filled to the brim with tourists must be managed if this site is to be preserved for the future. Too many access points and roads. Stonehenge is supposed to be a place of spirituality—not Hyde Park Corner."
