National Geographic Traveler Rates Islands

[vladimir]

A panel of experts on sustainable tourism rated 111 island destinations. Molokai got a 79 and Bonaire a 68, both in the "minor difficulties" category. Tortola got a 61 and Bali a 57, signifying they are, "in moderate trouble". Oahu, Key West, and Phuket all got 46s because they are "in serious trouble". The Faroe Islands in Denmark topped the list with an 87 (authentic, unspoiled, and likely to remain so) and St. Thomas was the worst with a 37 (also "in serious trouble").

I'm just guessing that a 3 mm wetsuit won't cut it in the Faroe Islands.

Here's the link:
Destinations Rated: Islands @ National Geographic Traveler

 

[drbill]

I'm assuming these ratings refer primarily to the terrestrial environments?

 

[vladimir]

We asked panelists to evaluate
just the islands with which they
were familiar, using six criteria
weighted according to importance:
environmental and ecological quality;
social and cultural integrity;
condition of historic buildings and
archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal;
quality of tourism management;
and outlook for the future.

Hopefully they considered the undersea environment as part of that category, but the article doesn't mention it except in passing, in regard to some specific dive destinations. It's highly doubtful that they'd put the same emphasis on it that we would, but, as you well know, the undersea and terrestrial ecology are inextricably linked.

I was led to the article by a link in this article: Can Cruise Ships and Coral Coexist? - Dot Earth - Climate Change and Sustainability - New York Times Blog

 

[Zeeman]

An excerpt for Bora Bora:
"Very upsetting are large groups of day-trippers snorkeling on reefs clad in plastic slippers, not fins, and crushing the coral while under the direction of indigenous guides who 'wrestle' the rays and taunt the sharks."

It got a 76.


and this for the Cook Islands:
"Snorkeling/diving is a big attraction with tour operators conscious of protecting the corals and natural environment, advising tourists of their responsibilities before they head to the water."

It got a 69.
Z..