Smoking out the problems

They’re popular diverse destinations but the Great Smoky Mountains encountered some smog and Key West hit the shoals when National Geographic Traveler Magazine asked 200 specialists in sustainable tourism to asses various worldwide destinations. “Smoky Mountains National Park is surrounded by a bathtub ring of ugly, insensitive development,” concluded the magazine’s report. “Depending on where you enter, the area can be absolutely splendid or absolutely tragic,” the report added. The experts rated it one of the most beautiful places in the world. “But the impact of 10 million visitors each year must be dealt with now.” Florida’s Key West “remains a unique, charming, exotic city.” However, real estate development, heavy cruise ship passenger foot traffic, and water problems are reaching critical mass,” the report said. The area is rapidly succumbing to “mass tourism” and the “spring break” mentality is becoming a year-round detriment, it added. Report by David Wilkening