Record number of villages vying for Best Tourism Villages 2024 designation

Madrid.– A record-breaking 260 villages from over 60 countries across all five global regions have applied for the 2024 Best Tourism Villages initiative by UNWTO. This year’s application period closed on May 8th.

Building on past successes, the program aims to inspire communities worldwide to leverage tourism for rural development and well-being. UNWTO member states submitted applications for up to eight candidate villages each.

An independent Advisory Board will evaluate the applications based on nine key areas:

• Cultural and natural resources
• Cultural resource promotion and conservation
• Economic, social, and environmental sustainability
• Tourism development and value chain integration
• Tourism governance and prioritization
• Infrastructure and connectivity
• Health, safety, and security

The winning villages and those chosen for the Upgrade Programme will be announced later this year.

UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme actively supported member states throughout the application process. Online sessions offered in four languages attracted 117 participants, reflecting the strong commitment to promoting rural tourism development.

The Best Tourism Villages Network, a global network of 186 members, will continue to expand. It currently includes 129 recognized Best Tourism Villages and 57 villages participating in the Upgrade Programme, representing 55 countries. This network fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and partnerships to drive rural development through tourism.