“Tourism is a vital tool for inclusion, empowering rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

“The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages but also highlights the transformative power of tourism. By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. We celebrate the villages that have embraced tourism as a pathway to empowerment and community well-being, demonstrating that sustainable practices can lead to a brighter future for all,” he added

The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative was launched in 2021 to advance tourism’s role in rural areas, preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.

In this fourth edition, 55 villages from all regions were recognised and chosen from over 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism Member States. Another 20 villages were selected to join the Upgrade Programme.

BTV Network grows every year, and with the announcement of its 75 new members, 254 villages are now part of the largest community of rural destinations in the world.

The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages but also highlights the transformative power of tourism. Rural destinations consolidate their position as key players in sustainable tourism and community development.

Uniting Rural Destinations

The BTV initiative is part of the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme. This programme works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism, and encourage sustainable practices.

As in previous editions, the villages were evaluated under nine key areas such as cultural and natural resources; promotion and conservation of cultural resources: economic sustainability; social sustainability; environmental sustainability; tourism development and value chain integration; governance and prioritization of tourism; infrastructure and connectivity health, safety, and security

The Initiative Comprises Three Pillars:

Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism; Recognizes outstanding rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Upgrade Programme; Supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping them improve in areas identified as weaknesses during evaluation.

The Best Tourism Villages Network is a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learning, and opportunities among its members, and it is open to contributions from experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.

The 55 Best Tourism Villages 2024 are (in alphabetical order);

Abo Noghta Castles & Historic Tabab( Saudi Arabia),

Abu Ghosoun (Egypt),

Aínsa (Spain),

Amagi (Japan)

Anogeia (Greece)

Azheke (China)

Bo Suak (Thailand)

Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico)

Caviahue-Copahue (Argentina)

Cuatro Ciénegas de Carranza (Mexico)

El Tambo (Ecuador)

El Valle de Antón (Panam)

Esfahak (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Gaiman (Argentina)

Gharb Suhayl ( Egypt)

Grand Baie ( Mauritius)

Guanyang (China)

Huancaya, Peru

Jardín (Colombia)

Jatiluwih ( Indonesia)

Kalopanagiotis (Cyprus)

Leymebamba (Peru)

Mindo (Ecuador)

Mura (Spain)

Nishikawa (Japan)

Óbidos (Portugal)

Ormana (Türkiye)

Palizada, Mexico

Pissouri (Cyprus)

Portobelo (Panama)

Pueblo de Maras (Peru)

Quinu (Peru)

Ralco (Chile)

Roches Noires (Mauritius)

Romoos (Switzerland)

Ruboni (Uganda)

San Casciano dei Bagni (Italy)

San Juan del Obispo (Guatemala)

San Rafael de la Laguna (Ecuador)

Santa Cruz da Graciosa (Portugal)

Shibadong (China)

Sibayo (Peru)

Splügen (Switzerland)

St. Johann in Tirol (Austria)

Taoping (China)

Tra Que Vegetable Village (Viet Nam)

Trevelin (Argentina)

Uaxactún (Guatemala)

Urych (Ukraine)

Villa Tulumba (Argentina)

Vorokht (Ukraine)

Wukirsari ( Indonesia)

Xiaogang (China)

Xito (China)

Yandunjiao (China)

From Fast Track to Recognition

This year seven villages from the BTV- Upgrade Programme have achieved recognition as Best Tourism Villages. Through the Upgrade Programme villages received mentorship to improve their lowest-scored areas of evaluation and were able to apply through a fast-track process and qualify for BTV recognition.

These outstanding villages; Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico), Grand Baie (Mauritius), Kalopanagiotis (Cyprus), Pissouri (Cyprus), Ruboni (Uganda), Bo Suak (Thailand), and Trevelin (Argentina).

The 20 villages selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme this year are:

Breb (Romania)

Campo Ramón (Argentin)

Cap Malheureux (Mauritius)

Cascas (Peru)

Choshuenco (Chile)

Dhudmaras (India)

Lens (Switzerland)

Malalcahuello (Chile)

Mexcaltitán de Uribe (Mexico)

Mittelberg (Austria)

Pals (Spain)

Piedades Sur (Costa Rica)

Polovragi (Romania)

San Juan Bautista (Chile)

Santa Catarina Palopó (Guatemala)

Seonhakdong (Republic of Korea)

Shirayama (Japan)

St. Leonhard in Pitztal (Austria)

Yamakoshi (Japan)

Yörük (Türkiye). * BTNewspaper

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