The Bavarian Alps, one of the most stewardly destinations in the world, according to National Geographic Traveler. (Shutterstock)

Best Stewardship Destinations in Images

NEW YORK -- Two of the top three places in National Geographic Traveler's annual "destination stewardship" survey are Canadian: B.C.'s Kootenay/Yoho national parks, ranked No. 2, and Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula, in third place.

They trail only Norway's fjords region, ranked No. 1.

Experts were asked to rank 133 destinations around the world based on factors including pollution, cultural authenticity, esthetic appeal, quality of tourism management and outlook for the future.

The rest of the top 10, in order: New Zealand's South Island; ancient Kyoto, Japan; Vermont, U.S.; Slovenia; Kakadu National Park, Australia; medieval Granada and the Alhambra in Spain; and the Bavarian Alps in Germany.

The worst-rated places were Egypt's northern Red Sea coast; the Dominican Republic's north coast; St. Maarten/St. Martin; Mexico's Cabo San Lucas region; Grand Bahama, Bahamas; the West Bank town of Bethlehem in Israel/Palestine; and, in last place, Spain's Costa del Sol (or as the magazine describes it, the "infamous, hotel-lined 'Costa del Concrete'").