National
Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations rates Fjord Norway on top of the list of the iconic destinations in the world!
The fjords are at present at their most beautiful, with autumn colours in the forest. In the high mountain areas, winter is on!
Photo: Helge Stikbakke / Statens vegvesen
Photo: Jarle Wæhler / Statens vegvesen
WASHINGTON (Oct. 21, 2009) National
Geographic Traveler has devoted its sixth annual "Places Rated"
Destination Stewardship survey to the world's most celebrated and
iconic travel destinations and how well they have weathered the
pressures of mass tourism and other threats.
Like the first
Destination Rated survey in 2004, Norway's fjords region has again
taken top honors, with a score of 85 points. Judges noted the gorgeous
scenery and well-preserved rural life that are vigorously protected.
Others making the top "Best Rated Places" category range from Japan's
ancient Kyoto (#4, 79 points) for honoring the "serenity and charm of
ancient Japan" to Slovenia, formerly part of communist Yugoslavia, tied
at #5 (78 points) for being among the most sustainable and authentic
places to visit in Europe.
The United Kingdom is the country
with the most winners in this year's top category: England's Yorkshire
Dales, Scotland's Highlands, and Wales.
A total of 133
destinations were surveyed by a panel of 437 well-traveled experts in a
variety of fields related to sustainable tourism. The survey is the
cover story of the November-December 2009 issue of National Geographic
Traveler magazine, on newsstands Nov. 3.
Read the full press release!
Read more about the survey!