UN Tourism calls for Best Villages 2024

Thursday, February 1, 2024

The 2024 edition of the Best Tourism Villages initiative by UN Tourism is now accepting applications. In the previous three editions, UN Tourism (formerly known as the World Tourism Organization or UNWTO) received close to 600 applications from nearly 100 countries. The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network currently includes 186 members worldwide, consisting of 129 recognized as Best Tourism Villages and 57 villages participating in the Upgrade Programme. Collectively, these villages represent 55 countries spanning five world regions.The 2024 edition of the Best Tourism Villages initiative by UN Tourism is now accepting applications. In the previous three editions, UN Tourism (formerly known as the World Tourism Organization or UNWTO) received close to 600 applications from nearly 100 countries. The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network currently includes 186 members worldwide, consisting of 129 recognized as Best Tourism Villages and 57 villages participating in the Upgrade Programme. Collectively, these villages represent 55 countries spanning five world regions.

Distinctive Approach to Rural Tourism Development

Embarking on a distinctive journey, UN Tourism beckons Member States to partake in the submission of up to eight candidate villages through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). The application period extends until April 24, 2024, with the revelation of selected villages slated for the third quarter of the same year.

A panel of external independent experts, versed in diverse fields, meticulously evaluates applications across nine crucial areas: 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.
Catalyzing Rural Prosperity through Unique Tourism Growth

Unveiled in 2021, the UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages initiative unfolds a unique narrative, positioning tourism as a dynamic catalyst for rural prosperity and well-being. This innovative initiative adopts a dual-pronged strategy: safeguarding rural villages, landscapes, cultural diversity, and knowledge systems, while concurrently promoting avant-garde strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The initiative unfolds through three pivotal components:

1. Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism: Recognizing outstanding rural tourism destinations with distinctive cultural and natural assets. These villages champion the preservation and promotion of rural and community-based values, products, and lifestyles, coupled with a resolute commitment to innovation and sustainability. Selection criteria delve into resources and initiatives across nine areas, encapsulating the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.
2. Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Upgrade Programme: Tailored support is extended to villages that may not fully meet recognition criteria. UNWTO and partners collaborate to address identified gaps during the evaluation process.
3. Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Network: Serving as a unique hub for the exchange of experiences, best practices, and opportunities, the network brings together representatives from the Best Tourism Villages and the Upgrade Programme. It thrives on the contributions of experts, along with public and private sector partners dedicated to the advancement of tourism for rural development. Since its inception, the BTV Network has orchestrated a series of distinctive training sessions and masterclasses, reaching hundreds of eager participants.

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