Skift Take
Being named the top anything is usually exciting for any destination and comes with lots of free publicity. But as some tourism boards point out, reviews from travelers themselves often resonate more with consumers than an official ranking.
Being named one of the top 10 beaches in the United States is an accolade any destination would be happy to accept as the summer travel season officially kicks off in the U.S.
Dr. Beach released his annual ranking of America's top 10 beaches last week and it included some familiar names such as Florida's Siesta Beach, which ranked number one for the second time since 2011, and Cape Cod, Massachusett's Coast Guard Beach.
Many beaches that have earned spots on Dr. Beach's ranking attribute that distinction in part to increased visitation to the beach and surrounding community. Top-ranked beaches also typically have investment and infrastructure projects in the works that add or improve amenities and help protect the beaches' environments and wildlife.
Siesta Beach, for example, recently completed $21.5 million in renovations which included adding more parking, a playground and picnic area.
But with more publicity and higher foot traffic, beach management and tourism boards are balancing how to maintain their high standards and visitor experience while mitigating environmental impact and educating visitors on how to keep beaches clean.
Many locals who live in destinations with popular beaches also ar
