The Norwegian Western Fjords have topped the National Geographic’s survey of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Fjords beat off other UNESCO sites including the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Grand Canyon and Machu Picchu.
Destinations were ranked through a detailed questionnaire which was sent out to a panel of international experts who were asked to reward places that have successfully safeguarded the characteristics for which the sites were originally given World Heritage status.
Director of Fjord Norway Terje Devold said: “We are surprised and thrilled to be given such a vote of confidence from National Geographic’s expert panel.
“At the same time we see it as a challenge. Last year Norway’s tourism authorities signed the National Geographic tourism charter as the first European country to do so, making geotourism an important platform for destination development in Norway.”