On 15th November 2024, United Nations (UN) World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) announced the names of 55 villages including Caviahue-Copahue (Argentina), Sibayo (Peru), Xito (China), Tra Que Vegetable Village (Vietnam), among others were recognised as Best Tourism Villages for 2024.
- This marks the 4th edition of the Best Tourism Villages initiative which highlights the role of rural destinations in promoting sustainable tourism, preserving cultural heritage and contributing to community development.
- These villages were selected from over 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism Member states.
About Best Tourism Villages:
i.This initiative was launched by UNWTO in 2021, aimed to promote tourism’s role in rural areas, preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions.
ii.It was launched as part of the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme, which works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, tackle depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism, and promote sustainable practices.
iii.The villages were evaluated under 9 key areas such as: cultural and natural resources, promotion and conservation of cultural resources, economic sustainability, social Sustainability, environment sustainability, tourism development and value chain integration, governance and priotization of tourism, infrastructure and connectivity, and health, safety, and security.
iv.The initiative consists 3 main pillars: Best Tourism Villages (BTV) by UN Tourism which recognizes exceptional rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values and strong commitment to innovation and sustainability across 3 main dimensions i.e. economic, social and environment.
- BTV by UN Tourism Upgrade Programme: It supports the villages to meet their recognition criteria by helping them to improve in areas where they lag during the evaluation process.
- The BTV Network: It provides space to share experiences and good practices, learning and opportunities among its members. It is also open for experts and public and private sector partners worked in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.
7 Villages from BTV Upgrade Programme:
| Name of the Village | Name of the Country |
|---|---|
| Capulálpam de Méndez | Mexico |
| Grand Baie | Mauritius |
| Kalopanagiotis | Cyprus |
| Pissouri | Cyprus |
| Ruboni | Uganda |
| Bo Suak | Thailand |
| Trevelin | Argentina |
About Best Tourism Villages for 2024:
i.Among 55 Best Tourism Villages for 2024, 7 villages were selected from the BTV Upgrade Programme including: Ruboni (Uganda), Bo Suak (Thailand), among others.
ii.Also, 20 villages selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme for year 2024 including: Breb (Romania), Campo Ramón (Argentina), Cap Malheureux (Mauritius), Cascas (Peru), Choshuenco (Chile), Dhudmaras (India), Lens (Switzerland), Malalcahuello (Chile), Mexcaltitán de Uribe (Mexico), Mittelberg (Austria), Pals (Spain), Piedades Sur (Costa Rica), Polovragi (Romania), San Juan Bautista (Chile), Santa Catarina Palopó (Guatmala), Seonhakadong, Republic of Korea, Shirayama (Japan), St. Leonhard in Pitztal (Austria), Yamakoshi (Japan) and Yörük (Türkiye).
Note: Dhudmaras village located in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh is the only Indian village featured in BTV Upgrade Programme list.
iii.The BTV Network grows annually, and with the announcement of its 75 new members, 254 villages are now part of the world’s largest community of rural destinations.
About United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO):
Secretary-General- Zurab Pololikashvili
Headquarters- Madrid, Spain
Established- 1970
