UNWTO Names ‘Best Tourism Villages’ Of 2022
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has named the ‘Best Tourism Villages’ for 2022 in 32 destinations from Austria to Vietnam.
The accolade recognizes rural destinations that are embracing tourism as a driver of development and new opportunities for jobs and income, while preserving and promoting community-based values and products.
The initiative also recognizes villages for their commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental – and a focus on developing tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2022, a total of 32 villages from 18 countries across the five world regions were awarded the recognition.
The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas:
The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities
- 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
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a true gamechanger in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive. The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flbZOKPWKAM&t=1s
A total of 136 villages were put forward for consideration by 57 UNWTO Member States (each Member State could nominate a maximum of three villages) for the 2022 edition. From these, 32 were recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.
A further 20 villages will enter the Upgrade Programme. All 52 villages will also become part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Global Network created in 2021 which from this date gathers 115 villages from the five continents. The Network provides a number of benefits including onsite and online training, sharing of good practices and international brand recognition and awareness.
The UNWTO’s ‘Best Tourism Villages’ for 2022 include:
- Zell am See, Austria
- Wagrain, Austria
- Puqueldón, Chile
- Dazhai, China
- Jingzhu, China
- Choachí, Colombia
- Aguarico, Ecuador
- Angochagua, Ecuador
- Choke Mountains Ecovillage, Ethiopia
- Mestia, Georgia
- Kfar Kama, Israel
- Sauris-Zahre, Italy
- Isola del Giglio, Italy
- Umm Qais, Jordan
- Creel, Mexico
- El Fuerte, Mexico
- Ksar Elkhorbat, Morocco
- Moulay Bouzerktoune, Morocco
- Lamas, Peru
- Raqchi, Peru
- Castelo Novo, Portugal
- Pyeongsa-ri, Republic of Korea
- Rasinari, Romania
- AlUla Old Town, Saudi Arabia
- Bohinj, Slovenia
- Rupit, Spain
- Alquézar, Spain
- Guadalupe, Spain
- Murten, Switzerland
- Andermatt, Switzerland
- Birgi, Türkiye
- Thái Hai, Vietnam
Additionally, UNWTO will work with the following villages participating in the Upgrade Programme:
- Trevelin, Argentina
- Krupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Fontainhas, Cabo Verde
- Ninhue, Chile
- San Vicente de Chucuri, Colombia
- Barichara, Colombia
- Kalopanagiotis, Cyprus
- Pissouri, Cyprus
- Adaba, Ethiopia
- Khonoma, India
- Neot Semadar, Israel
- Otricoli, Italy
- Il Ngwesi, Kenya
- Grand Baie, Mauritius
- Bella Vista, Paraguay
- Istebna, Poland
- Ferraria de São João, Portugal
- Castara, Trinidad and Tobago
- Anıtlı, Türkiye
- Cumalıkızık, Türkiye
