[Above: Surfer’s Paradise skyline, Gold Coast (“C-“), Queensland.
Photo: Jonathan Tourtellot]
From 2004 to 2010, National Geographic expert panelists weighed environment, cultural factors, built heritage, aesthetics, tourism management, and overall trend for each destination. These grades reflect their consensus, reported on five pages:
- Among the Best: A to B+
- Doing Well: B and B-
- In the Balance: C+ to C
- Below: Slipping: C-
- In Trouble: D+ to F
Download a pdf of all 440 destination grades, listed by country.
THE LIST part 4: SLIPPING
These places have a mix of positive and negative factors, but the negatives seriously detract from destination quality.
C–
More negative and than positive; remedial action needed.
| Country | Destination |
| China | Lijiang and Three Parallel Rivers, Yunnan |
| Bulgaria | Black sea coast |
| Monaco | as a whole |
| U.S.: NC/TN | Great Smoky Mountains |
| China | Beijing historic districts |
| Japan | Okinawa |
| Australia: QL | Gold Coast |
| Egypt | Luxor (Thebes; Valley of the Kings) |
| U.S.: Florida | Everglades NP/Big Cypress |
| Aruba | as a whole |
| Guatemala | Atitlán |
| Sri Lanka | Sinhalese coastal regions |
| Andorra | as a whole |
| U.S.: Louisiana | New Orleans historic areas |
| Cayman Is. | Grand Cayman Island |
| Honduras | Roatan, Bay Islands |
| Mexico | Cozumel, Mexico |
| Cambodia | Angkor/Siem Reap |
| India | Golden City of Jaisalmer |
| Thailand | Phuket |
| U.S.: Hawaii | Oahu |
| U.S.: Florida | Key West |
| U.S.: South Carolina | Hilton Head |
| Jamaica | Negril |
| China: Tibet | Potala Palace Lhasa |
| U.S.: Hawaii | Waikiki |
| Egypt | Pyramids, Giza |
| U.S.: Maryland/VA | “Hallowed Ground” US15 corridor |
| U.S.: Pennsylvania | Lancaster County |
| U.S.: South Dakota | Deadwood |
| Jamaica | NW coast: Montego Bay-Ocho Rios |
Note—These letter grades interpret some 80% of the numerical survey scores reported by National Geographic (weighted to favor the more recent scores). The Destination Stewardship Center has applied these grades independently, and we take sole responsibility for them. For the original numerical scores and panelist comments, consult the appropriate links to National Geographic. Please also read about methodology.