More than 2024 villages from over 260 countries applied for the selection of the best tourist villages in 60

The Best Tourism Villages 2024 adventure begins.

Author  HrTurizam.hr

15. May 2024.

More than 2024 villages from over 260 countries representing five world regions applied for the selection of the best tourist villages in 60, which is the largest number of applications received in the last four editions. Applications for the fourth edition closed on May 8.

Building on previous success, this year's initiative will once again inspire communities around the world to harness the power of tourism as a driver of rural development and rural well-being.

UN tourism member states are invited to propose up to 8 candidate villages through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). As in previous editions, the villages will be evaluated by an external independent advisory board in the following areas of evaluation:

  • Cultural and natural resources
  • Promotion and preservation of cultural resources
  • Economic viability
  • Social sustainability
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Tourism development and value chain integration
  • Tourism management and its prioritization
  • Infrastructure and connectivity
  • Health and safety

The villages recognized as the best tourist villages, as well as those selected for participation in the Upgrade Program, will be announced in the fourth quarter of this year.

Since launching the call for applications in January, Tourism for Rural Development Program UN Tourism hosted a series of online sessions with member states, offering insight into the application process.

/ / / Rural tourism: UNWTO launches new tool to promote cooperation between top tourist villages

These sessions in Arabic, English, French and Spanish brought together 117 participants, highlighting the broad interest and commitment of member countries to the promotion of tourism for rural development.

Network Best Tourism Villages (BTV) currently boasts a global consortium with 186 members and continues to grow. It includes 129 villages recognized as the best tourist villages and 57 actively participating in the Upgrade Program they represent 55 countries.

This collaborative network is a unique global grouping of local communities and serves as a platform for sharing experiences, disseminating knowledge and fostering partnerships to foster rural development through tourism.

/ / / The city of Slunj received recognition from the UN World Tourism Organization

Photo: Vedran Božićević / TZ slunj
Source UN Tourism

Author  HrTurizam.hr

15. May 2024.