SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 5, 2025 – UN Tourism has officially opened applications for the 2025 edition of its prestigious Best Tourism Villages initiative. This global program underscores UN Tourism's ongoing commitment to promoting rural tourism as a vital driver of sustainable development and inclusivity. It also aims to celebrate the diverse tapestry of cultural and natural heritage, community values, and sustainable practices that distinguish these unique destinations.
A Legacy of Success and Global Impact
Since its launch in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative has garnered significant international recognition. Over the past four editions, UN Tourism has received an impressive number of applications, exceeding 800 submissions from more than 100 countries. The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network currently boasts 254 members worldwide, comprising over 180 villages recognized as Best Tourism Villages and 70 participating in the Upgrade Programme. These villages represent nearly 60 countries across five world regions.
Celebrating Rural Destinations and Empowering Communities
The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism celebrates rural destinations where tourism serves as a catalyst for opportunity, cultural preservation, and sustainable growth. As UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili states, "The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism celebrates rural destinations where tourism serves as a catalyst for opportunity, cultural preservation, and sustainable growth. By harnessing their unique assets, these villages create opportunities for economic growth, safeguard local traditions, and promote a better quality of life for their communities. We are eager to welcome those villages that represent the role of rural tourism as a transformative force for good."
Best Tourism Villages 2025 – The Application Process
UN Tourism Member States are invited to nominate up to eight candidate villages through their respective National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). The deadline for applications is May 19, 2025. The highly anticipated announcement of the Best Tourism Villages 2025 will take place in the third quarter of the year at a UN Tourism event.
Evaluation Criteria: A Holistic Approach
An independent Advisory Board, composed of leading global experts, will meticulously evaluate each application based on nine key areas:
- Cultural and Natural Resources: Assessing the richness and diversity of cultural and natural assets.
- Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources: Examining efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage.
- Economic Sustainability: Evaluating the economic viability and benefits of tourism for the community.
- Social Sustainability: Analyzing the social impact of tourism and its contribution to community well-being.
- Environmental Sustainability: Assessing the environmental practices and sustainability measures in place.
- Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration: Examining the integration of tourism into the local economy.
- Governance and Prioritization of Tourism: Evaluating the governance framework and prioritization of tourism.
- Infrastructure and Connectivity: Assessing the quality of infrastructure and connectivity.
- Health, Safety, and Security: Evaluating measures to ensure the health, safety, and security of visitors and residents.
A Vision for Rural Development through Tourism
The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative is driven by the vision of leveraging tourism as a powerful tool for rural development, enhancing well-being, and building community resilience. By collaboratively working to value and preserve rural landscapes, cultural diversity, and traditional knowledge systems, the initiative promotes innovative tourism strategies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Three Pillars of the Initiative
The initiative is built upon three integral components:
- Recognition as Best Tourism Villages: This prestigious recognition highlights rural tourism destinations that demonstrate excellence in preserving cultural and natural heritage, community-based values, and sustainable practices. The evaluation process considers performance across the nine key areas mentioned above, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
- The Upgrade Programme: This program provides targeted support to villages that do not yet fully meet the criteria for recognition. These villages receive tailored guidance and assistance to address any gaps and enhance their tourism offerings.
- The Best Tourism Villages Network: This dynamic network serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and networking among recognized villages and those participating in the Upgrade Programme. The Network facilitates capacity-building initiatives to foster connections across various sectors.
Tourism for Rural Development: A Broader Context
The Best Tourism Villages initiative is an integral part of the broader Tourism for Rural Development Programme by UN Tourism, reinforcing the organization's commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism development.