World’s best tourist destinations 2009

by Rebecca Keary

National Geographic Traveler has just released its 2009 survey of the best-preserved tourist spots around the world

In this year’s report, more than 400 expert panellists rated 133 sites of historical or natural importance around the world on how well they were managed in terms of preservation, ecology and tourism.

Coming top of the list was Norway’s stunning Fjords region, while the Costa del Sol was the big loser, coming bottom of all the sites due to its “poor-quality high-rise development” which is “creaking under the weight of Brits and Germans”, according to the judges.

The UK came out of it relatively well, with Wales recommended highly for its “stunning landscape and strong sense of place and cultural identity”.

So find out where you should be heading next year as we take a look at 10 of the top-rated places to visit around the globe, according to the people who know.