As travellers increasingly look to get off the beaten track and explore places less prone to over-tourism, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced its list of Best Tourism Villages 2023. The accolade recognizes villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions – all contributing to the notion of harnessing tourism “as a catalyst for their development and well-being.”
In this third edition 54 villages from all regions were selected from almost 260 applications. A further 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Program, and all 74 villages are now part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network. The villages were named during the recent UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
“Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative is part of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Program, which works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism and encourage sustainable practices.
As in previous editions, the villages are evaluated under nine key 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
• Health, Safety, and Security
The initiative comprises three pillars:
Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO: Recognizes outstanding rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Upgrade Program: Supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping in areas identified as gaps during evaluation.
The Best Tourism Villages Network: A space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learning, and opportunities among its members, and it is open to contributions of experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.
Best Tourism Villages 2023
List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2023 is as follows (by alphabetic order):
• Al Sela, Jordan
• Barrancas, Chile
• Biei, Japan
• Caleta Tortel, Chile
• Cantavieja, Spain
• Chacas, Peru
• Chavín de Huantar, Peru
• Dahshour, Egypt
• Dhordo, India
• Dongbaek, Republic of Korea
• Douma, Lebanon
• Ericeira, Portugal
• Filandia, Colombia
• Hakuba, Japan
• Higueras, Mexico
• Huangling, China
• Jalpa de Cánovas, Mexico
• Kandovan, Iran
• La Carolina, Argentina
• Lephis Village, Ethiopia
• Lerici, Italy
• Manteigas, Portugal
• Morcote, Switzerland
• Mosan, Republic of Korea
• Oku-Matsushima, Japan
• Omitlán de Juárez, Mexico
• Oñati, Spain
• Ordino, Andorra
• Oyacachi, Ecuador
• Paucartambo, Peru
• Penglipuran, Indonesia
• Pisco Elqui, Chile
• Pozuzo, Peru
• Saint-Ursanne, Switzerland
• Saty, Kazakhstan
• Schladming, Austria
• Sehwa, Republic of Korea
• Sentob, Uzbekistan
• Shirakawa, Japan
• Sigüenza, Spain
• Şirince, Türkiye
• Siwa, Egypt
• Slunj, Croatia
• Sortelha, Portugal
• St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
• Tân Hoá, Viet Nam
• Taquile, Peru
• Tokaj, Hungary
• Văleni, Moldova
• Vila da Madalena, Portugal
• Xiajiang, China
• Zapatoca, Colombia
• Zhagana, China
• Zhujiawan, China
The Network enlarges every year and aims at becoming the largest global rural network: 190 villages are now part of the unique Network.
The call for submissions for the fourth edition will take place in the first months of 2024, opening a new opportunity to rural destinations to shine on the global stage.