Places Rated: Scotland's Moray Firth Coast

The November/December issue of Traveler features our annual "Places Rated" survey of destination stewardship, and this year 340 expert panelists rated 99 coastal destinations around the world. Here on the blog, we're going to highlight some of these coastal destinations and are interested in adding your feedback to the mix. What do you think?

Scotland: Moray Firth Coast, Inverness to Peterhead
Rating: 76 -- "Top Rated" category

A popular vacation spot for more than a century, this coast offers "outstanding cliff scenery" and maintains "a strong community feeling." Seasonal and year-round residents appear to live in relative harmony. Tourism keeps "pretty coastal villages" economically afloat as Scotland's fishing industry declines.

Why did the place earn this score? Read representative panelist comments after the jump.

Places Rated: Scotland's Moray Firth Coast

Backlink: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/places-rated-scotlands-coast.html

Places Rated: Tanzania's Swahili Coast

The November/December issue of Traveler features our annual "Places Rated" survey of destination stewardship, and this year 340 expert panelists rated 99 coastal destinations around the world. Here on the blog, we're going to highlight some of these coastal destinations and are interested in adding your feedback to the mix. What do you think?

Tanzania: Swahili Coast
Rating: 61 -- "In the Balance" category

Given its historical appeal, natural beauty, and location in a relatively politically stable country, it's not surprising that Tanzania's coastline has emerged as one of Africa's tourism hotspots. The region "has so much potential" but will face numerous bumps in the road on its journey to becoming a sustainable destination--things like political corruption, insufficient infrastructure, and poor waste management.

Why did the place earn this score? Read representative panelist comments after the jump.

Places Rated: Tanzania's Swahili Coast

Backlink: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/11/places-rated-tanzanias-swahili.html

Places Rated: British Columbia's Gulf Islands

The November/December issue of Traveler features our annual "Places Rated" survey of destination stewardship, and this year 340 expert panelists rated 99 coastal destinations around the world. Here on the blog, we're going to highlight some of these coastal destinations and are interested in adding your feedback to the mix. How do you think they're doing?

British Columbia: Gulf Islands
Rating: 78 -- "Top Rated" category

Scattered across the Georgia Strait between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia, the Gulf Islands enjoy a surprisingly dry and balmy climate. "Residents generally place a high importance on the quality of the environment and the way of life on the islands," and tourism is sustainably managed.

Why did the place earn this score? Read representative panelist comments after the jump:

Places Rated: Cambodia's Sihanoukville Coastline

The November/December issue of Traveler features our annual "Places Rated" survey of destination stewardship, and this year 340 expert panelists rated 99 coastal destinations around the world. Here on the blog, we're going to highlight some of these coastal destinations and are interested in adding your feedback to the mix. What do you think?

Cambodia: Sihanoukville
Rating: 38 -- "In Trouble" category

Cambodia's premier coastal resort "has some serious issues to address in terms of sustainability," including corruption involved in development decisions, poor waste management, and "a low aesthetic of the built environment."

Why did the place earn this score? Read representative panelist comments after the jump.

Places Rated: Bulgaria's Black Sea Coast

The November/December issue of Traveler features our annual "Places Rated" survey of destination stewardship, and this year 340 expert panelists rated 99 coastal destinations around the world. Here on the blog, we're going to highlight some of these coastal destinations and are interested in adding your feedback to the mix.

Bulgaria: Black Sea Coast
Rating: 49 -- "Facing Trouble" category


Resort developers are snatching up large swaths of Bulgaria's coastline, increasingly regarded by price-conscious Europeans as an affordable alternative to Spain and Greece. They have left in their wake a built landscape that "does not adequately reflect the area's cultural resources and heritage." Nevertheless, travelers who venture far enough off the beaten path find pockets of "untouched natural areas." Nesebur's well-preserved Old Town is worth a visit.

Why did the place earn this score? Read representative panelist comments after the jump.