The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2025 list has officially been announced, highlighting model rural destinations across the globe. In its fifth edition, 52 villages from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East earned recognition for their excellence in sustainable tourism and community-driven development. These selections were made from over 270 applications submitted by 65 UN Tourism Member States.
Alongside this main recognition, another 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, bringing all 72 newly acknowledged villages into the broader Best Tourism Villages Network. With this addition, the network now includes 319 villages, making it the largest global community of rural destinations championing cultural integrity and sustainable tourism growth.
A Vision for Inclusive Rural Growth
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the program’s core mission. He stated that tourism remains a powerful pathway toward shared prosperity. It is also a means of inclusive development in rural regions. According to him, these selected villages serve as shining examples of communities that actively safeguard heritage. They preserve biodiversity. They also foster local economies through sustainable tourism.
He noted that these destinations show how tourism can nurture social inclusion, harmony, and long-term sustainability. This helps ensure no one is left behind in the journey toward rural progress.
Ceremony in Huzhou City, China
The new list was introduced during a special event held in Huzhou City. China was a symbolic host for the award due to its dynamic balance between modernization and cultural preservation. The ceremony brought together ministers, development experts, and representatives from local communities. It celebrated the continuous global momentum of the Tourism for Rural Development initiative.
Strengthening Tourism for Rural Development
The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative was launched in 2021. It is a cornerstone of the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme. It is designed to accelerate the positive economic and cultural impact of tourism in rural areas. The initiative preserves landscapes, local traditions, biodiversity, and indigenous knowledge systems.
The initiative values villages that integrate tourism as a force for good while respecting their cultural identities. Each candidate goes through a rigorous evaluation process, conducted by an independent Advisory Board, analyzing nine key areas:
Cultural and Natural Resources
Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Assets
Economic Sustainability
Social Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability
Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Health, Safety, and Security
Three Pillars of the Initiative
The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative operates through three strategic pillars:
Best Tourism Villages Recognition: This recognition honors rural destinations with rich cultural and natural heritage. These destinations demonstrate innovation and sustainability in tourism management.
Upgrade Programme: Assists high-potential villages in achieving the recognition standards by improving weaker areas identified in their assessments.
Best Tourism Villages Network: Fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and opportunities among recognized villages. It also partners with them, enabling them all to learn and grow collectively.
The 52 Best Tourism Villages 2025
The newly recognized Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2025 reflect an impressive range of geographies and cultural legacies. Listed alphabetically, they include:
Agaete (Spain), Akyaka (Türkiye), Aldea San Cristóbal El Alto (Guatemala), Anıtlı (Türkiye), Antônio Prado (Brazil), Arquà Petrarca (Italy), Asolo (Italy), Asuka (Japan), Barbaros (Türkiye), Bellano (Italy), Bled (Slovenia), Carlos Pellegrini (Argentina), Chamarel (Mauritius), Digang (China), Dongluo (China), Ezcaray (Spain), Flößerstadt Schiltach (Germany), Grand River South East (Mauritius), Hosszúhetény (Hungary), Huanggang (China), Jikayi (China), Kale Üçağız (Türkiye), Kandelous (Iran), Kaštelir Labinci (Croatia), Khinalig (Azerbaijan), Kolochava (Ukraine), Koyasan (Japan), Krupa na Vrbasu (Bosnia Herzegovina), Loriga (Portugal), Lô Lô Chải (Viet Nam), Maimará (Argentina), Marktgemeinde Bad Hindelang (Germany), Masfout (United Arab Emirates), Mértola (Portugal), Mórahalom (Hungary), Muju Village (Republic of Korea), Murillo (Colombia), Neot Semadar (Israel), North Azraq (Jordan), Pacto (Ecuador), Pemuteran (Indonesia), Plateliai (Lithuania), Pont-Croix (France), Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village (Viet Nam), Shafiabad (Iran), Shodoshima (Japan), Soheili (Iran), Synevyrska Polyana (Ukraine), Tonosho (Japan), Valendas (Switzerland), Vila Nogueira de Azeitão (Portugal), and Yangsuri (Republic of Korea).
The 20 Villages in the Upgrade Programme
The Upgrade Programme continues to strengthen rural destinations that show strong tourism potential but need targeted support to reach full recognition. The 20 villages selected for 2025 are:
Al-Bashandi (Egypt), Brihuega (Spain), Comuna Chiguilpe de la Nacionalidad Tsa’chila (Ecuador), Dawa (China), Evolène (Switzerland), Iraq Al-Amir (Jordan), Kemiren (Indonesia), Lolol (Chile), Meisenheim (Germany), Montagnana (Italy), Nari (Republic of Korea), Nopala de Villagrán (Mexico), Omonxona (Uzbekistan), Oosterend (Netherlands), Orduña (Spain), Parroquia Biblián (Ecuador), Quintandona (Portugal), San Javier y Yacanto (Argentina), San Martín de Unx (Spain), and Sant’Andrea di Conza (Italy).
These destinations will receive technical, strategic, and promotional support from UN Tourism experts. This assistance will enable them to enhance visitor experiences. They will also improve sustainable practices.
Looking to the Future: Call for 2026 Submissions
UN Tourism confirmed that the sixth edition of the Best Tourism Villages initiative will open for applications. The call will start in the first quarter of 2026. This call offers rural destinations an extraordinary opportunity. They can showcase their success stories in sustainable tourism. It allows them to gain international recognition.
As the global focus on responsible travel grows, these initiatives are contributing significantly. They ensure that rural communities remain vibrant, resilient, and prosperous. By engaging local populations and promoting cultural exchange, tourism continues to demonstrate its power as an engine for inclusive growth and rural transformation.
