UN’s Best Tourism Villages initiative

• The UN Tourism announced the latest list of Best Tourism Villages.

• In this fifth edition, 52 villages from all regions received the recognition, selected from over 270 applications from UN Tourism Member States.

• From Koyasan in Japan to Chamarel in Mauritius, Bled in Slovenia, Carlos Pellegrini in Argentina, and Masfout in the United Arab Emirates, the newly recognised villages from 29 countries showcase the power of tourism. 

• Another 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, with all 72 villages joining the Best Tourism Villages (BTV) Network. 

• The BTV Network grows every year, and with the announcement of its 72 new members, 319 villages are now part of the largest community of rural destinations in the world.

• No Indian village was selected in this year’s list.

• The call for submissions for the sixth edition will take place in the first quarter of 2026, opening a new opportunity for rural destinations to share their inspiring initiatives and get global recognition as tourism for rural development champions. 

Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism

• UN Tourism (formerly World Tourism Organisation) is the UN agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. 

• UN Tourism promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.

• The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative launched in 2021, under the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme, accelerates the role of tourism in rural development by valuing and safeguarding rural areas along with their associated landscapes, knowledge systems, biological diversity and cultural heritage.

Candidate villages are assessed by an independent advisory board under nine areas of evaluation: 

a) Cultural and Natural Resources

b) Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources

c) Economic Sustainability

d) Social Sustainability

e) Environmental Sustainability

f) Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration

g) Governance and Prioritisation of Tourism

h) Infrastructure and Connectivity

i) Health, Safety, and Security. 

The initiative comprises three pillars:  

i) Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism: Recognises 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.  

ii) Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Upgrade Programme: Supports high-potential villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping them improve in areas identified as weakness during evaluation.

iii) 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 from experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.