• TravelBizNews > News > top news world > UNWTO announces ‘Best Tourism Villages’ 2021

    UNWTO announces ‘Best Tourism Villages’ 2021

    December 31, 2021
    top news world
    ,
    UNWTO announces ‘Best Tourism Villages’ 2021

    Travel Biz News —

    The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly announced ‘Best Tourism Villages’ 2021 during its’ General Assembly held in Madrid on 30 November- 3 December 2021.

    The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative was launched to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and their local values and activities, including local gastronomy.

    A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted the recognition in 2021. All of them stand out for their natural and cultural resources as well as for their innovative and transformative actions and commitment to the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to UNWTO.

    The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas: Cultural and Natural Resources, Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources, Economic Sustainability, Social Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, Tourism Potential and Development and Value Chain Integration, Governance and Prioritization of Tourism, Infrastructure and Connectivity ,Health,  Safety and Security.

    All of the 44 chosen villages scored a total of 80 or more points or more out of a possible 100. Another 20 villages will enter the Upgrade Programme of the Initiative. All 64 villages enter to make part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network.

    A total 174 villages were proposed by 75 UNWTO member states (each member state could present a maximum of three villages) for the 2021 pilot initiative.

    List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2021:

    Bekhovo, Russian Federation

    Bkassine, Lebanon

    Bojo, Philippineshe

    Caspalá, Argentina

    Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal

    Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mexico

    Cumeada, Portugal

    Gruyères, Switzerland

    Batu Puteh , Malaysia

    Kaunertal, Austria

    Le Morne, Mauritius

    Lekunberri, Spain

    Maní, Mexico

    Misfat Al Abriyeen, Oman

    Miyama, Japan

    Mokra Gora, Serbia

    Morella, Spain

    Mustafapaşa, Turkey

    Nglanggeran, Indonesia

    Niseko, Japan

    Nkotsi Village, Rwanda

    Old Grand Port, Mauritius

    Olergesailie, Kenya

    Ollantaytambo, Peru

    Pano Lefkara, Cyprus

    Pica, Chile

    Pochampally, India

    Puerto Williams, Chile

    Radovljica, Slovenia

    Rijal Alma’a, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Testo Alto, Brazil

    Saas Fee, Switzerland

    San Cosme y Damián, Paraguay

    San Ginesio, Italy

    Sidi Kaouki, Morocco

    Solčava, Slovenia

    Soufli, Greece

    Taraklı, Turkey

    The Purple Island, Republic of Korea

    Ungok Village, Republic of Korea

    Valposchiavo, Switzerland

    Wonchi, Ethiopia

    Xidi, China

    Yucun, China

    Additionally, UNWTO will work with the following villages participating in the Upgrade Programme:

    Ordino, Andorra

    Khinalig, Azerbaijan

    Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria

    Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia

    Agros, Cyprus

    Fuwah, Egypt

    Western Samos, Greece

    Hollókő, Hungary

    Biei, Japan

    Capulálpam de Méndez, Mexico

    Godinje, Montenegro

    Gornja Lastva, Montenegro

    Oukaimeden, Morocco

    Barangay Tenani, Philippines

    Gasura, Rwanda

    Gostilje, Serbia

    Gorenja Vas, Slovenia

    Cantavieja, Spain

    Bo Suak, Thailand

    Ruboni, Uganda

    December 3 , 2021

    Other News

    • Connecting you with the world of travel and tourism

      Theme Park Expo Vietnam 2025

      Asia Pool & Spa Expo , May 10 – 12, 2025 , Guangzhou , China

      KAZAKHSTAN International Exhibition “Tourism & Travel” Almaty, Kazakhstan

      CHINA- Beyond your imagination

      Gulf Cooperation Council Tourism 

      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)

      Best Tourism Villages 2024

      ” Nihao ! China ” Silk Road Tourism