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The World Tourism Organization has selected 32 villages from around the globe as the world’s best villages that manage to grow visitor numbers in a sustainable way. This is the second annual list of best rural villages.
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) focuses on responsible tourism. In a statement, UNWTO said that these villages were chosen for how they have grown their visitor numbers, without actually spoiling what the visitors are coming to see.
Rural destinations that embrace tourism as a driver for development and also promote community-based values were selected. A total of 32 villages across the globe made it to the list. 136 were put forward by the 57 UNWTO member states.
Each country was allowed to submit the name of three villages for consideration. Only Spain could succeed in getting all three villages to enter the list. To be a part of the list is a huge accomplishment. The complete list is as follows
- Zell am See, Austria
- Wagrain, Austria
- Puqueldón, Chile
- Dazhai, China
- Jingzhu, China
- Choachí, Colombia
- Aguarico, Ecuador
- Angochagua, Ecuador
- Choke Mountains Ecovillage, Ethiopia
- Mestia, Georgia
- Kfar Kama, Israel
- Sauris-Zahre, Italy
- Isola del Giglio, Italy
- Umm Qais, Jordan
- Creel, Mexico
- El Fuerte, Mexico
- Ksar Elkhorbat, Morocco
- Moulay Bouzerktoune, Morocco
- Lamas, Peru
- Raqchi, Peru
- Castelo Novo, Portugal
- Pyeongsa-ri, Republic of Korea
- Rasinari, Romania
- AlUla Old Town, Saudi Arabia
- Bohinj, Slovenia
- Rupit, Spain
- Alquézar, Spain
- Guadalupe, Spain
- Murten, Switzerland
- Andermatt, Switzerland
- Birgi, Türkiye
- Thái Hải, Vietnam
The best tourism villages by UNWTO, can create job opportunities for people living outside big cities.