Kibbutz Neot Semadar, located in Israel’s Southern Arava, has achieved global recognition after being selected for the prestigious Best Tourism Villages 2025 list by UN Tourism. The announcement was made during an official ceremony held in China, where the kibbutz joined a select group of 250 villages worldwide recognised for excellence in sustainability, cultural preservation, and innovation in tourism.

This milestone marks another proud moment for Israel’s tourism industry, as the country continues to gain international recognition for its commitment to responsible and community-led tourism development.

Congratulating the community, Israel’s Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz, said,

“Congratulations to Kibbutz Neot Semadar, which represents the best of the Israeli spirit, combining innovation, sustainability, and community. We are proud to have promoted the kibbutz’s candidacy and its achievement of the prestigious Best Tourism Villages 2025 title. This recognition is another step in the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts within the framework of UN Tourism. It reflects the international acknowledgment of Israel’s uniqueness and its high-quality sustainable tourism.”

Founded in 1989, Kibbutz Neot Semadar is home to around 250 residents, including families, children, and volunteers from Israel and abroad. The community follows a unique cooperative and ecological lifestyle that integrates art, agriculture, and environmental awareness into daily living.

Visitors to Neot Semadar experience an inspiring model of desert tourism. The highlights include the Art Center, an architectural masterpiece built by the community over 15 years, an organic boutique winery, a local restaurant-café, an eco-lodge, art workshops, and stargazing opportunities next to the Weizmann Institute’s telescope. Each of these experiences reflects the kibbutz’s harmony with nature and its commitment to sustainable practices.

The Ministry of Tourism played a key role in supporting and guiding the kibbutz’s nomination, collaborating with the Eilot Regional Council to prepare materials and coordinate with the international jury. The effort aims to promote unique local communities on the global stage, reinforcing Israel’s image as a nation dedicated to innovation, culture, and sustainability.

This recognition also marks Israel’s second inclusion in UN Tourism’s Best Villages network, following the selection of Kfar Kama, a Circassian village in the Lower Galilee, in 2022.

Dr. Hanan Ginat, Head of the Eilot Regional Council – Southern Arava, expressed pride in the recognition, saying,

“Neot Semadar’s inclusion in the UN Tourism Best Villages network is an emotional and proud moment for the entire Southern Arava region. It represents international recognition of the community’s vision and dedication, reflecting the values we promote every day,  sustainability, innovation, and cooperation.”

The Kibbutz Neot Semadar Secretariat also shared,

“Over the past decade, Neot Semadar has undergone a true transformation in the field of tourism. Today we share our unique culture, cuisine, and architecture with visitors from Israel and around the world. This international recognition will serve as a springboard for further tourism development in the Arava and across Israel.”

This achievement not only celebrates Neot Semadar’s success but also places the Southern Arava and Israel on the global tourism map. Even amid global challenges, the UN’s recognition shines a spotlight on Israel’s commitment to sustainability, proving how a small desert community can inspire the world with its creativity, resilience, and respect for nature.

For more information, visit www.neot-semadar.com.