The value recognizes rural destinations that are embracing tourism as a driver of development and new opportunities for jobs and income, while preserving and promoting community-based values and products. The initiative also recognizes villages for their commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental – and a focus on tourism development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2022, in total 32 villages from 18 countries in all five regions of the world recognition was given. The villages were assessed by an independent Advisory Board based on a series of criteria covering nine areas:
- Cultural and Natural Resources
- Promotion and preservation of cultural resources
- Economic sustainability
- Social Sustainability
- Environmental sustainability
- Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
- Tourism governance and prioritization
- Infrastructure and Connectivity
- Health, Safety and Security
Welcoming the news, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a real game-changer in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive. UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages showcase the sector’s power to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside the big cities.”
A total of 136 villages were submitted for consideration by 57 UNWTO Member States (each Member State could nominate a maximum of three villages) for the 2022 edition. Of these, 32 were recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.
Another 20 villages will enter the Improvement Program. All 52 villages will also become part of the UNWTO Global Network of Best Tourism Villages, established in 2021, which as of this date gathers 115 villages from five continents. The network offers a number of benefits including on-site and online training, exchange of good practice and international brand recognition and awareness.
Tourism as a driver of rural development and inclusion
The Better Tourist Villages initiative is the main project of UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. The program aims to ensure that tourism contributes to reducing regional disparities in income and development, combating depopulation, advancing gender equality and empowering women and youth, advancing innovation and digitization, improving connectivity, infrastructure, access to finance and investment, innovation in product development and value. chain integration, promoting sustainable practices for more efficient use of resources and reducing emissions and waste, and increasing education and skills. The program promotes multi-level governance and partnerships and the active involvement and empowerment of communities.
The best tourist villages from UNWTO
The Better Tourist Villages initiative includes three pillars:
- “Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO”: It recognizes villages that are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with accredited cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community values, products and lifestyles and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all aspects its – economic, social and environmental.
- The “Best Tourist Villages by UNWTO” improvement program: The Improvement Program benefits a number of villages that do not fully meet the criteria to receive recognition. These villages receive support from UNWTO and its partners in improving the elements of the areas identified as gaps in the assessment process.
- “Top Tourism Villages from the UNWTO Global Network”.: The network provides a space for the exchange of experiences and good practices, lessons and opportunities. It includes experts and partners of the public and private sector engaged in promoting tourism for rural development, as well.
The award ceremony will take place in AlUla, Saudi Arabia on 27-28 February 2023, in conjunction with the first UNWTO Network of Best Tourism Villages presentation meeting.
The next edition of UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages will open in February 2023.
List of top tourism villages by UNWTO 2022:
- Zell am See, Austria
- Wagrain, Austria
- Puqueldon, Chile
- Dazhai, China
- Jingzhu, China
- Choachí, Colombia
- Aguarico, Ecuador
- Angochagua, Ecuador
- Choke Mountains Ecovillage, Ethiopia
- Mestia, Georgia
- Kfar Kama, Israel
- Sauris-Zahre, Italy
- Giglio Island, Italy
- Umm Qais, Jordan
- Creel, Mexico
- El Fuerte, Mexico
- Ksar Elkhorbat, Morocco
- Moulay Bouzerktoune, Morocco
- Llamas, Peru
- Raqchi, Peru
- Castelo Novo, Portugal
- Pyeongsa-ri, Republic of Korea
- Rasinari, Romania
- AlUla Old City, Saudi Arabia
- Bohinj, Slovenia
- Rupit, Spain
- Alquezar, Spain
- Guadalupe, Spain
- Murten, Switzerland
- Andermatt, Switzerland
- Birgi, Turkey
- Thai Hai, Vietnam
In addition, UNWTO will work with the following participating villages Improvement program:
- Trevelin, Argentina
- Krupa in Vrbas, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Fontainhas, Cape Verde
- Ninhue, Chile
- San Vicente de Chucuri, Colombia
- Barichara, Colombia
- Kalopanagiotis, Cyprus
- Pissouri, Cyprus
- Punishment, Ethiopia
- Khonoma, India
- Neot Semadar, Israel
- Otricoli, Italy
- Il Ngwesi, Kenya
- Grand Baie, Mauritius
- Bella Vista, Paraguay
- Istebna, Poland
- Blacksmith shop in Sao Joao, Portugal
- Castara, Trinidad and Tobago
- Anitli, Turkey
- Cumalikizik, Turkey
Applications in 2021 and 2022 were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board. The composition of this multidisciplinary board for the years 2021-2022 is as follows:
- Federico de Arteaga (PhD, Innovation Sustainability, 2022)
- Joel Callanaupa (Planeterra, 2022)
- Mari Dunleavy (ICCA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture, 2022)
- Ahmed Eiweida (World Bank, 2022)
- Elena García Garrido (ENRD, 2022)
- Christian Gsodam (ECR European Committee of the Regions, 2021-2022)
- Amran Hamzah (CIPD Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 2021-2022)
- Ena Harvey (ICCA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture, 2021)
- Lázaro Israel (Member of the Panel of Experts of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity at UNESCO, 2021-2022)
- (Dr.) Manal Kelig (ATTA Adventure Travel Trade Association, 2021-2022)
- Judy Kepher Gona (STTA Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda, 2021-2022)
- Fergus Maclaren (ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee, 2021-2022)
- Joxe Mari Aizega (Basque Culinary Center BCC, 2021)
- David Mora Gómez (BCC Basque Culinary Center, 2022)
- Ximena Muñoz Vivas (Design Thinking Institute, 2021-2022)
- Fabrizio Angelo Orlando (TripAdvisor, 2021-2022)
- Helena Rey de Assis (UNEP – UN Environment Programme, 2021)
- Jacqui Taylor (Agritourism Africa, 2022)
- Peter Wostner (Researcher and Policy Expert. Chair of the OECD Rural Policy Working Group, 2021)
- (Dr.) Endo Yoshihide (Food and Agriculture Organization FAO, 2021-2022)
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About the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes tourism as a tool for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. Working with Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and hassle-free travel for all. UNWTO also works to make tourism the foundation of international trust and cooperation and a central pillar of recovery. As part of the wider UN system, UNWTO is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and maintain natural and cultural heritage.
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