‘Best Tourism Villages 2024’ Initiative: Call for Applications

Photo source: UN Tourism

The UN Tourism – the new name of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) – recently opened applications for the 2024 edition of its “Best Tourism Villages” initiative.

Introduced in 2021, the “Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism” initiative aims to make tourism a wellbeing factor for the destinations that apply.

“’Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism’ recognizes those rural destinations where tourism is being effectively embraced as an opportunity or as a tool for sustainable growth or for preserving unique cultural and natural heritage,” UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, said.

The initiative has already recognized 129 destinations as Best Tourism Villages across the world.

“For the 2024 edition, we look forward to seeing more examples of tourism as a force for good,” Pololikashvili said.

Applications will be open until 24 April 2024 and the member states can submit up to eight villages through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs).

The “Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism” initiative comprises three integral components:

-The “Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism” initiative recognizes outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote community-based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear committed to innovation and sustainability. Selection is based on an evaluation of their resources and initiatives in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development: i.e., economic, social and environmental.

-The “Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism “Upgrade Programme” benefits applicants that do not fully meet the criteria to obtain recognition. These villages receive support from UN Tourism and partners to address the gaps identified in the evaluation process.

-The “Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism” Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices and opportunities. It includes representatives of the Best Tourism Village as well as from the Upgrade Programme and benefits from the contributions of experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development. Since its inception, the Best Tourism Villages Network has organized a series of training sessions and masterclasses, reaching hundreds of participants.

Over the past three editions, UN Tourism received almost 600 applications from nearly 100 countries.

Greece in 2021 won two important “Best Tourism Villages” distinctions. The Municipality of Soufli was granted the “Best Tourism Village” recognition for 2021 and the Municipality of Western Samos entered the initiative’s upgrade program.