The third edition of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages programme has recognised 54 villages from all regions in a ceremony on October 19 during the UNWTO General Assembly; 14 of which are in Asia.
The programme, established in 2021, recognises villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.
UNWTO celebrates an expansion of its community of quality tourism villages around the world
The stringent selection, which took into consideration factors such as Cultural and Natural Resources, Social Sustainability, and Governance and Prioritisation of Tourism, was made from almost 260 applications.
A further 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, which supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping to close gaps identified during evaluation.
All 74 villages are now part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network, which will allow operators to share experiences and good practices, and learn from tourism and rural development experts in the public and private sectors.
UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions. This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being.”
The list of Asian tourism villages new to the programme this year are: Biei, Hakuba, Oku-Matsushima and Shirakawa in Japan; Dhordo in India; Dongbaek, Mosan and Sehwa in South Korea; Huangling, Xiajiang, Zhagana and Zhujiawan in China; Penglipuran in Indonesia; and Tân Hoá in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Asuka in Japan; Madla in India; and Bilebante, Pela and Taro in Indonesia are now being supported under the Upgrade Programme.
The call for submissions for the fourth edition will take place in the first months of 2024.
The third edition of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages programme has recognised 54 villages from all regions in a ceremony on October 19 during the UNWTO General Assembly; 14 of which are in Asia.
The programme, established in 2021, recognises villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.
The stringent selection, which took into consideration factors such as Cultural and Natural Resources, Social Sustainability, and Governance and Prioritisation of Tourism, was made from almost 260 applications.
A further 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, which supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping to close gaps identified during evaluation.
All 74 villages are now part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network, which will allow operators to share experiences and good practices, and learn from tourism and rural development experts in the public and private sectors.
UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions. This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being.”
The list of Asian tourism villages new to the programme this year are: Biei, Hakuba, Oku-Matsushima and Shirakawa in Japan; Dhordo in India; Dongbaek, Mosan and Sehwa in South Korea; Huangling, Xiajiang, Zhagana and Zhujiawan in China; Penglipuran in Indonesia; and Tân Hoá in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Asuka in Japan; Madla in India; and Bilebante, Pela and Taro in Indonesia are now being supported under the Upgrade Programme.
The call for submissions for the fourth edition will take place in the first months of 2024.