The United Nations Tourism Office has opened applications for the 2024 edition of its Best Tourism Village initiative.
Over the past three editions, the UN Tourism Organization (the new name for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)) has received nearly 600 applications from about 100 countries. Currently, the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network has 186 members worldwide, consisting of 129 villages recognized as Best Tourism Villages and 57 villages participating in the upgrading programme. These villages represent 55 countries across five global regions.
UN Tourism member states are invited to submit up to eight candidate villages through their respective National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). Applications will be accepted until 24 April 2024, with the selected villages to be announced in the third quarter of the same year.
An external, independent advisory committee made up of experts in various fields will evaluate the applications.
The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages initiative, introduced in 2021, aims to transform tourism into a catalyst for rural prosperity and well-being. The initiative has a two-pronged approach: valuing and protecting rural areas, their landscapes, cultural diversity and knowledge systems, as well as promoting innovative strategies that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This initiative consists of three key components:
The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages initiative recognises outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations that have cultural and natural assets, protect and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyles, and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability. The selection is based on the assessment of resources and efforts in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development: economy, society and environment. The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme benefits applicants who do not fully meet the criteria to be recognised. These villages receive support from UN Tourism and partners to address gaps identified in the evaluation process. The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages network provides a forum for the exchange of experiences, good practices and opportunities. The network includes representatives of the Best Tourism Villages and Upgrade Programmes, and benefits from the contributions of experts, public and private sector partners involved in promoting tourism for rural development. Since its creation, the Best Tourism Villages network has organised a series of training sessions and masterclasses, which have been attended by hundreds of people.
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