UN Tourism Recognizes 2024's Best Tourism Villages: A Focus on Sustainable Rural Development
Rural destinations are solidifying their role as pivotal contributors to sustainable tourism and community development, as the United Nations Tourism organization announces its Best Tourism Villages for 2024. This year’s selection features 55 villages from various regions worldwide, chosen from over 260 applications submitted by more than 60 UN Tourism Member States. Additionally, 20 villages have been selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme.
Among the recognized communities, five notable villages from Africa are included, representing South Africa, Morocco, Namibia, Mozambique, and Egypt.
The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only celebrates the achievements of these communities but also underscores the transformative potential of tourism. According to UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, “Tourism is an essential instrument for inclusion, empowering rural communities to safeguard and celebrate their rich cultural heritage while promoting sustainable development.” He further stated, “By capitalizing on their unique resources, these villages can stimulate economic growth, uphold local traditions, and improve the quality of life for their residents. We honor these communities that have harnessed tourism as a means of empowerment and community well-being, demonstrating that sustainable practices can pave the way for a brighter future.” Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative aims to enhance tourism's impact in rural areas, preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions. With the announcement of 75 new members, the Best Tourism Villages Network has expanded to include 254 villages, making it the largest community of rural destinations globally.
This initiative is part of the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme, which seeks to foster growth and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, promote innovation, and integrate value chains through tourism while encouraging sustainable practices. As in previous years, the villages were assessed based on nine key criteria: Cultural and Natural Resources; Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources; Economic Sustainability; Social Sustainability; Environmental Sustainability; Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration; Governance and Prioritization of Tourism; Infrastructure and Connectivity; and Health, Safety, and Security. The initiative consists of three main components:
- Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism: This recognizes exceptional rural tourism destinations that possess accredited cultural and natural assets, uphold community-based values, and demonstrate a commitment to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
- Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme: This supports villages in their quest to meet recognition criteria, assisting them in enhancing areas identified as weaknesses during evaluations.
- The Best Tourism Villages Network: A collaborative space for sharing experiences and best practices, learning opportunities, and contributions from experts and public and private sector partners dedicated to promoting tourism as a catalyst for rural development.
This year, seven villages from the Upgrade Programme have attained recognition as Best Tourism Villages. These communities received mentorship to address their areas of improvement and were able to apply through a fast-track process for this esteemed acknowledgment. The distinguished villages include Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico), Grand Baie (Mauritius), Kalopanagiotis (Cyprus), Pissouri (Cyprus), Ruboni (Uganda), Bo Suak (Thailand), and Trevelin (Argentina).
