Azeke village in Yunnan province of China is famed for its mushroom-shaped cottages (Photo: China Daily)
UN Tourism has revealed the 55 villages recognised in the fourth edition of its Best Tourism Villages 2024 initiative. Selected from over 260 applications across more than Member States of 60 UN Tourism, these villages highlight the power of tourism to drive sustainable development, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance local livelihoods.
In a press statement, UN Tourism says that additionally, 20 villages have been invited to join the Upgrade Programme, aimed at helping them further improve their tourism practices and community impact.
The initiative was launched by UN Tourism in 2021 as part of its Rural Development Programme, to not only recognise the remarkable achievement of the rural world but to advance tourism’s role in rural areas, preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.
“Tourism is a vital tool for inclusion, empowering rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable development,” says Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism.
Zurab Pololikashvili
“The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognises 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 adds.
Similar to previous editions, the villages were evaluated under categories including cultural and natural resources, social sustainability, health, safety and security, environmental sustainability, amongst others.
With seven villages in the list, China tops the nations in terms of representation in the list of Best Villages 2024, while Peru has four and Argentina, Mexico and Ecuador three each.
This year, seven villages have earned the prestigious title of Best Tourism Villages through the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme. As part of the programme, these villages received guidance to enhance their areas of weakness and were able to apply through an expedited process to achieve this recognition. The villages honoured include Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico), Grand Baie (Mauritius), Kalopanagiotis (Cyprus), Pissouri (Cyprus), Ruboni (Uganda), Bo Suak (Thailand), and Trevelin (Argentina).
The call for submissions for the fifth edition will take place in early 2025, says UN Tourism.
"
