In its Best Tourism Villages 2023, which honours rural areas that are preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions, UNWTO has added 54 villages selected from almost 260 applications this year.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has released its annual list of Best Tourism Villages 2023. The accolade recognises villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.

According to a press statement by UNWTO, this third edition names 54 villages from all regions, selected from almost 260 applications. A further 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, and all 74 villages are now part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network. The villages were named during the UNWTO General Assembly, taking place this week in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

“Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions. This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being,” says UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative is part of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. UNWTO says that the programme works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism and encourage sustainable practices.

The villages were evaluated under nine key areas, including cultural and natural resources, promotion and conservation of cultural resources, economic sustainability and social sustainability. It also assessed environmental sustainability along with tourism development and value chain integration, governance and prioritisation of tourism, infrastructure and connectivity and health, safety and security.

UNWTO says that the initiative  comprises three pillars. The title of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO recognises 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.

It says that similarly the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Upgrade Programme supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping in areas identified as gaps 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 of experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.