UN Tourism – rebranded from UNWTO - has opened applications for the 2024 Best Tourism Villages initiative.
The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network brings together 186
members globally, representing 55 countries across five world regions.
The initiative seeks to value and preserve rural villages, their
landscapes, cultural diversity, and knowledge systems, and advance
innovative strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).
UN Tourism secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said Best Tourism
Villages by UN Tourism recognised those rural destinations where tourism
is being effectively embraced as a tool for sustainable growth,
opportunity or for preserving unique cultural and natural heritage.
UN Tourism member states are invited to submit up to eight candidate
villages through their national tourism administrations (NTAs).
Applications are open until 24 April 2024, with the selected villages
announced in the third quarter of the year.
Applications will be evaluated on nine areas: 1. Cultural and Natural
Resources; 2. Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources; 3.
Economic Sustainability; 4. Social Sustainability; 5. Environmental
Sustainability; 6. Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration; 7.
Governance and Prioritization of Tourism; 8. Infrastructure and
Connectivity and 9. Health, Safety and Security.