UN Tourism has officially launched the application process for the 2025 edition of its esteemed Best Tourism Villages initiative. This annual program continues its mission to elevate rural tourism as a driving force for sustainable development, economic inclusion, and cultural preservation. By spotlighting villages that embody strong community values, environmental stewardship, and heritage conservation, the initiative celebrates destinations that set a benchmark for responsible tourism.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “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.”
A Global Initiative with Growing Recognition
Since its establishment in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative has gained international prominence. Over the past four editions, more than 800 applications have been submitted by over 100 countries. Today, the Best Tourism Villages Network comprises 254 members across nearly 60 countries in five global regions. This includes over 180 villages officially recognized as Best Tourism Villages and 70 others participating in the Upgrade Programme, which supports destinations striving to meet the initiative’s high standards.
How to Apply for Best Tourism Villages 2025
UN Tourism invites its Member States to nominate up to eight candidate villages through their respective National Tourism Administrations (NTAs).
Application Deadline: Submissions close on May 19, 2025.
Announcement: The villages selected as Best Tourism Villages 2025 will be revealed during a UN Tourism event in the third quarter of the year.
Evaluation Criteria
A panel of global experts, forming an independent Advisory Board, will assess applications based on nine essential areas:
- Cultural and Natural Resources
- Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Assets
- Economic Sustainability
- Social Sustainability
- Environmental Sustainability
- Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
- Governance and Tourism Prioritization
- Infrastructure and Connectivity
- Health, Safety, and Security
Strengthening Rural Tourism for a Sustainable Future
The Best Tourism Villages initiative seeks to empower rural communities by positioning tourism as a vehicle for economic resilience, cultural preservation, and sustainable growth. By recognizing and supporting destinations that harmonize tourism with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the initiative promotes innovative approaches to rural tourism development.
The program consists of three key components:
- Best Tourism Villages Recognition – Villages that excel in cultural preservation, community-led initiatives, and sustainability practices receive official recognition. The assessment spans economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
- The Upgrade Programme – Villages that do not yet fully meet the selection criteria gain access to targeted support, enabling them to refine their tourism strategies and enhance their offerings.
- The Best Tourism Villages Network – A collaborative platform where recognized villages and Upgrade Programme participants engage in knowledge exchange, capacity-building activities, and cross-sector networking to strengthen rural tourism worldwide.
As part of UN Tourism’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme, the Best Tourism Villages initiative continues to drive positive change, ensuring that rural tourism thrives while preserving the unique cultural and environmental identity of each destination.
The post UN Tourism Opens Applications for Best Tourism Villages 2025 to Elevate Rural Destinations and Sustainable Travel: What You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
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