The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently unveiled its selection of the Best Tourism Villages for 2023. These accolades recognize the remarkable contributions of villages across the globe in nurturing rural landscapes, preserving cultural diversity, upholding local values, and safeguarding culinary traditions.

In its third edition, 54 villages were chosen out of nearly 260 applicants, with an additional 20 villages joining the Upgrade Programme. This combined total of 74 villages now comprises the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network. The announcement took place during the UNWTO General Assembly held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the power of tourism in promoting inclusivity, empowering local communities, and spreading benefits across regions. He stated, "This initiative acknowledges villages that have leveraged tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being."

Key Evaluation Areas:

The villages were evaluated in nine essential areas, including:

• 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

• Health, Safety, and Security

Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO: This category recognizes exceptional rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and a dedication to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Upgrade Programme: It offers vital support to villages in their journey to meet recognition criteria, addressing identified shortcomings during the evaluation process.

The Best Tourism Villages Network: This acts as a platform for sharing experiences, best practices, learning, and opportunities among its members. It welcomes contributions from experts and both public and private sector partners engaged in promoting tourism as a catalyst for rural development.

The network continues to expand every year, with the addition of these 74 new members, totaling 190 villages as part of this unique global rural network.

Peru boasts the most Best Tourism Villages on the list with five. Following closely are countries like Japan, Korea, Portugal, Mexico, China, and Spain, each having three or four entries. Additionally, Indonesia has three villages included in the upgrade program list, with Peru, Türkiye, and Italy following with two entries each.

Here is the list of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO for 2023 (in alphabetical order):

• Al Sela, Jordan

• Barrancas, Chile

• Biei, Japan

• Caleta Tortel, Chile

• Cantavieja, Spain

• Chacas, Peru

• Chavín de Huantar, Peru

• Dahshour, Egypt

• Dhordo, India

• Dongbaek, Republic of Korea

• Douma, Lebanon

• Ericeira, Portugal

• Filandia, Colombia

• Hakuba, Japan

• Higueras, Mexico

• Huangling, China

• Jalpa de Cánovas, Mexico

• Kandovan, Iran

• La Carolina, Argentina

• Lephis Village, Ethiopia

• Lerici, Italy

• Manteigas, Portugal

• Morcote, Switzerland

• Mosan, Republic of Korea

• Oku-Matsushima, Japan

• Omitlán de Juárez, Mexico

• Oñati, Spain

• Ordino, Andorra

• Oyacachi, Ecuador

• Paucartambo, Peru

• Penglipuran, Indonesia

• Pisco Elqui, Chile

• Pozuzo, Peru

• Saint-Ursanne, Switzerland

• Saty, Kazakhstan

• Schladming, Austria

• Sehwa, Republic of Korea

• Sentob, Uzbekistan

• Shirakawa, Japan

• Sigüenza, Spain

• Şirince, Türkiye

• Siwa, Egypt

• Slunj, Croatia

• Sortelha, Portugal

• St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria

• Tân Hoá, Viet Nam

• Taquile, Peru

• Tokaj, Hungary

• Văleni, Moldova

• Vila da Madalena, Portugal

• Xiajiang, China

• Zapatoca, Colombia

• Zhagana, China

• Zhujiawan, China

The UNWTO Best Tourism Villages initiative, launched in 2021, plays a significant role in the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. This program aims to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, encourage innovation, integrate value chains through tourism, and promote sustainable practices.

The call for submissions for the fourth edition is expected to take place in the early months of 2024, offering new opportunities for rural destinations to shine on the global stage.