A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted the recognition in 2021. All of them stand out for their natural and cultural resources as well as for their innovative and transformative actions and commitment to the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing
The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas:
- Cultural and Natural Resources
- Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
- Economic Sustainability
- Social Sustainability
- Environmental Sustainability
- Tourism Potential and Development and Value Chain Integration
- Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
- Infrastructure and Connectivity
- Health, Safety and Security
Tourism as a driver of rural development and inclusion
“Tourism can be a driver of social cohesion and inclusion by promoting a fairer distribution of benefits throughout the territory and empowering local communities,” says UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing”.The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative includes three pillars:
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’: Recognizes villages which are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with recognized cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental.
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme: The Upgrade programme will benefit a number of villages that do not fully meet the criteria to receive the recognition. These villages will receive support from UNWTO and its Partners in improving elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process.
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network: The Network will provide a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learnings, and opportunities. It will include representatives of the villages recognized as the ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ , the villages participating in the Upgrade Programme, as well as experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development.
The next edition will open in February 2022.
List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2021:
- Bekhovo, Russian Federation
- Bkassine, Lebanon
- Bojo, Philippineshe
- Caspalá, Argentina
- Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
- Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mexico
- Cumeada, Portugal
- Gruyères, Switzerland
- Batu Puteh , Malaysia
- Kaunertal, Austria
- Le Morne, Mauritius
- Lekunberri, Spain
- Maní, Mexico
- Misfat Al Abriyeen, Oman
- Miyama, Japan
- Mokra Gora, Serbia
- Morella, Spain
- Mustafapaşa, Turkey
- Nglanggeran, Indonesia
- Niseko, Japan
- Nkotsi Village, Rwanda
- Old Grand Port, Mauritius
- Olergesailie, Kenya
- Ollantaytambo, Peru
- Pano Lefkara, Cyprus
- Pica, Chile
- Pochampally, India
- Puerto Williams, Chile
- Radovljica, Slovenia
- Rijal Alma’a, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Testo Alto, Brazil
- Saas Fee, Switzerland
- San Cosme y Damián, Paraguay
- San Ginesio, Italy
- Sidi Kaouki, Morocco
- Solčava, Slovenia
- Soufli, Greece
- Taraklı, Turkey
- The Purple Island, Republic of Korea
- Ungok Village, Republic of Korea
- Valposchiavo, Switzerland
- Wonchi, Ethiopia
- Xidi, China
- Yucun, China
- Ordino, Andorra
- Khinalig, Azerbaijan
- Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria
- Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia
- Agros, Cyprus
- Fuwah, Egypt
- Western Samos, Greece
- Hollókő, Hungary
- Biei, Japan
- Capulálpam de Méndez, Mexico
- Godinje, Montenegro
- Gornja Lastva, Montenegro
- Oukaimeden, Morocco
- Barangay Tenani, Philippines
- Gasura, Rwanda
- Gostilje, Serbia
- Gorenja Vas, Slovenia
- Cantavieja, Spain
- Bo Suak, Thailand
- Ruboni, Uganda
