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.
Grand Canyon, USA
Score: 65
"Flights over canyon a problem, as are ecological effects of Glen Canyon Dam upstream."
"The North Rim is far more peaceful. Good management of heavy South Rim visitation makes for an enjoyable experience but not a solitary, meditative one."
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV USA
Score: 60
"Amazing scenery, recreational heaven, but development and crowding are affecting the destination."
"South Lake Tahoe development is ghastly casinos, tacky hotels, cheap condos. The North Shore is more upscale; the West Shore older, vintage. Water quality remains high, but pressure from popularity is constant."
Mid-Coast California (Santa Barbara-Monterey)
Score: 63
"Too much traffic at times, but the incredible beauty of the region makes being stuck a delight."
"Coast in this region is lovely, and coastal zoning laws are strong, promising long-term preservation and growth management. But the coast is lined with upscale residential developments, mitigating the aesthetic experience and limited beach access."
Northern California Coasts (Marin-Eureka)
Score: 71
"A much wilder coast, much less populated, excellent for driving trips and small town sojourns."
"Sheer beauty and very well protected."
California Wine Country, USA
Score: 63
"Too much conversion of prime forest and agricultural land to vineyards, overuse of pesticides and herbicides."
"Popularity threatens to swamp the region. It is inherently pretty; wine-making is agriculture, after all. But traffic is heavy on most two-lane roads. Still, a rewarding, interesting destination."
Yosemite Valley, USA
Score: 66
"We all know the Valley is crowded, but this park is a particularly special one. Even with all the people both the valley and the backcountry are breathtakingly beautiful and intellectually stimulating places."
"Scenery is great. The attempts at traffic management are to be commended, but tourist numbers are a problem at certain times."
Cape Breton Island, Canada
Score: 78
"The National Park and the island ecosystem are in great shape."
"Retains some sense of remoteness."
"Locals here seem genuinely happy to see tourists, so they must be doing something right."
Inside Passage, AK/Canada
Score: 71
"Some problems with cruise-ship pollution and overcrowding at hot spots like Skagway, but can still be a relatively low impact trip with much to admire."
"Scenic quality is as real as the concern over future development. More interpretive efforts are needed. Greater emphasis is being placed on the cruise-line operators to protect the resources that make such trips attractive."
Quebec City Historic Center, Canada
Score: 74
"The old town of Quebec City is culturally vibrant."
"This place is awesome. Superb historical renovation projects."
"Future outlook in terms of sustainability is positive. Excellent."
Rocky Mountain Parks, Canada
Score: 76
"The management plans, looking up to 100 years ahead, are exemplary."
"Positive travel experience but a little bit commercial."
"Impacts of tourism recognized and some moves are being made to maintain ecological integrity; however still negative impacts on wildlife throughout Rocky Mountains."
Four Corners (Colorado Plateau), USA
Score: 69
"Subdivision of old lands is a major threat to current landscapes and ecosystems."
"Moab has lost some of its charm, but the power of the huge spaces keep things in the positive range."
Colorado Rockies, USA
Score: 71
"Large enough to take a lot of abuse but still needs political protection before it is too late."
"Fantastic natural area with several development problems."
"Skiing areas need more stringent planning control."
Everglades, FL, USA
Score: 54
"Alteration of waterways into the Everglades has significantly changed the hydrology and hence the ecology of the area. There are wonderful plans to correct this over time, but money and politics are the major blocks, not easy to remedy."
"A very special place that is threatened more by surrounding nontourism activities than by excess visitation or abuse from tourists."
"Reefs face peril."
"Remains a unique, charming, exotic city. But real estate development, absurdly heavy cruise-ship passenger foot traffic, and water problems are reaching critical mass."
"The island's character has been robbed by cruise ships and greedy development. Hard to see how it could rebound, but maybe if they dramatically limit the ships."
"Preservation and antidevelopment sentiment is growing; the island might regain some of what's been lost."
Hawaii
Score: 62
"Significant improvements to save the culture are currently underway. Danger of overuse of some areas still exists."
"Too much emphasis on increasing numbers of visitors without adequate management planning or impact assessment."
"Hawaii is still a paradise when visitors plan properly. New initiatives and public policy offer hope that both the culture and the environment can be better protected and in some cases restored."
Maine Coast, USA
Score: 71
"The Maine Coast is suffering from skyrocketing visitor numbers."
"Basically in good shape, especially from Acadia east to Eastport."
"Rows of summer houses virtually along everywhere on the coast."
Cape Cod, MA, USA
Score: 63
"Blend of authentic with noticeable tourism."
"Cape Cod is Cape Cod. Crowded in the summer. Great the rest of the year. It's been overdeveloped forever. I think that's what people expect. What saves it is the National Seashore."
Yellowstone, WY/MT, USA
Score: 71
"Supposed to be the "flagship" of America's National Park System yet is in dire need of more funding for maintenance. Over 95 percent of visitors never get beyond the overlooks. Backcountry is one of the greatest unused resources in the world."
"Threatened by snowmobile use, air pollution, overuse, rancher issues."
Outer Banks, NC, USA
Score: 52
"Massive second home development and strip commercial development is changing the Outer Banks for the worse."
"In serious trouble, overcrowded, junk tourism, no planning."
"Abuse of the word 'ecotourism' for marketing purposes."
Great Smoky Mountains, NC/TN, USA
Score: 49
"Smoky Mountains National Park is surrounded by a bathtub ring of ugly, insensitive development."
"Depending on where you enter, the area can be absolutely splendid or absolutely tragic. Communities are beginning to work together, but the impact of 10 million visitors each year must be dealt with."
"This is one of the saddest situations anywhere—an extraordinary ecosystem being destroyed by external forces."
"Gateway towns are shameful."
Charleston Historic Center, SC, USA
Score: 71
"One of the few towns to successfully reconnect with its waterfront. Business booms but the historic center still retains its authenticity."
"Be careful of commercialized junk and trinkets."
Vermont, USA
Score: 74
"Compared to most U.S. destinations, Vermont is still in great shape. No billboards, relatively little sprawl. A strong sense of place, but its uniqueness is slowly eroding."
"One of the few places where a large percentage of the populace is committed to conservation/preservation over injudicious development."
San Juan Islands, WA, USA
Score: 67
"Has somehow maintained its appeal and quality over time. Seems to be strong local stewardship that ensures effective public policy that is protecting the resource."
"Lacks an integrated tourism development and management plan."