Panelists exchanged comments, which were kept anonymous to maintain survey neutrality, during the rating process. These 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.
Aruba
Score: 54
"Social/cultural integrity is questionable."
"Inappropriate coastal development and misuse of the scarce water resources are the largest challenges to sustainability."
Bahamian Out Islands
Score: 63
"Mainly the Out Islands are authentic and unspoiled. Wonderful people who appreciate their islands and their heritage."
"Except for a couple of islands, there are currently not enough stringent measures and guidelines to ensure a sustainable destination."
Barbados
Score: 55
"Beautiful natural and cultural resources. Problems are coastal and unsustainable agriculture."
"Too many traditional tourism products."
British Virgin Islands
Score: 65
"Tortola is the big problem because of improper road building and subsequent sedimentation in coral reefs. The rest of the BVIs are beautiful."
"BV Islanders are beginning to recognize the importance of the surrounding waters and reefs to their primary industry—tourism."
"Visitation needs to be spread out to some of the lesser known sites and limits set at the most popular destinations."
Havana Historic Center, Cuba
Score: 55
"Tourism is on the rise and already one sees too many people begging on the street. Crime is very low and Cubans are friendly."
"Fascinating city from a historic and architectural perspective and also from a restoration and social perspective. While some buildings and neighborhoods have been restored beautifully, others remain in a state of continual deterioration."
"Rate of decay surpasses redevelopment efforts."
North Coast, Dominican Republic
Score: 46
"Far too rapid development with inadequate environmental planning and infrastructure."
"Beautiful, beautiful terrain. Although mass tourism is rampant in certain sectors, there is much ecotourism potential."
Negril, Jamaica
Score: 46
"The only benefits for locals are employment and the all-inclusive products are doing very little for the local economy. Negril is in serious trouble."
"Negril is now just another tourist destination. They really don't understand sustainable tourism."
North Coast, Jamaica
Score: 42
"Poverty and corruption, enclave tourism, little economic benefit for locals, no environmental protection, lack of interest in true culture."
"Well done in some areas, but strictly commercial with little regard for the environment."
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Score: 70
"The marine park is well managed."
"It has taken a generation, but this is a good example of how the enlightened self-interests of the local people can be tapped so they are partners in maintaining environmental and ecological quality."
St. Lucia
Score: 61
"Quite pleased with tourism development. This island shows a lot of promise."
"St. Lucia is very conscious of sustainable development issues. However, St. Lucia appears to be suffering from 'tourist fatigue.' St. Lucians in the restaurants, in particular, do not appear to want to serve visitors."
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Score: 69
"Well-preserved nature, beautiful sites."
"National Park contributes to maintenance of environmental and ecological quality."
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Score: 45
"Massive overvisitation by massive cruise ships with poor waste management; high economic leakage."
"Intense development and government that refuses to embrace sustainable tourism. Coral reefs being lost at an enormous rate."