World Tourism Organization Unveils Top Rural Settlements of 2024: 55 Remote Towns Leading the Way in Eco-Friendly Tourism Development
The United Nations Tourism Organization (UNTO) has announced the Best Tourism Villages 2024, a programme that honours 55 villages from various regions for their exceptional commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative aims to advance tourism's role in rural areas, leveraging the unique cultural and natural heritage of villages to create sustainable livelihoods and diversify economies, particularly in landlocked and rural regions.
The initiative comprises three pillars: Best Tourism Villages by UNTO, Best Tourism Villages by UNTO Upgrade Programme, and The Best Tourism Villages Network. The network serves as a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learning, and opportunities among its members.
The composition of the Advisory Board for 2023-2024 includes several esteemed members, such as Ms. Aurkene Alzua-Sorzabal, Mr. Federico Arteaga Vidiella, Prof. Jim Ayorekire, Mr. Greg Bakunzi, and many others. A special appreciation goes to the late Dr. Carmen Nibigira, Tourism and Hospitality Expert who was part of the Advisory Board for the 2023-2024 period. UNTO expresses its sincere condolences to her family and friends.
The 20 villages selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme this year are: Breb (Romania), Campo Ramón (Argentina), Cap Malheureux (Mauritius), Cascas (Peru), Choshuenco (Chile), Dhudmaras (India), Lens (Switzerland), Malalcahuello (Chile), Mexcaltitán de Uribe (Mexico), Mittelberg (Austria), Pals (Spain), Piedades Sur (Costa Rica), Polovragi (Romania), San Juan Bautista (Chile), Santa Catarina Palopó (Guatemala), Seonhakdong (Republic of Korea), Shirayama (Japan), St. Leonhard in Pitztal (Austria), Yamakoshi (Japan), Yörük (Türkiye).
Seven villages from the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme have achieved recognition as Best Tourism Villages this year. These include Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico), Grand Baie (Mauritius), Kalopanagiotis (Cyprus), Pissouri (Cyprus), Ruboni (Uganda), Bo Suak (Thailand), and Trevelin (Argentina).
The key evaluation areas for the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages initiative focus on a comprehensive self-assessment framework designed to help rural destinations measure and develop their tourism potential sustainably and inclusively. The initiative emphasizes aspects such as sustainable tourism development, community participation and empowerment, capacity-building for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) involved in tourism, infrastructure development, collaboration between public and private sectors, and a self-assessment tool to guide rural destinations in understanding their strengths and areas for improvement in tourism.
The call for submissions for the fifth edition will take place in early 2025. The evaluation process involves an independent Advisory Board and evaluates villages under nine key areas: Cultural and Natural Resources, Economic Sustainability, Social Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration, Governance and Prioritization of Tourism, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Health, Safety, and Security.
The Best Tourism Villages initiative is part of the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme, which seeks to make tourism a strategic pillar for resilient and inclusive rural development. The programme aligns with the broader goal of creating sustainable livelihoods and diversifying economies in rural areas, particularly in landlocked and remote regions.
