Wednesday, January 24, 2024
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The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network is comprised of 186 global members promoting sustainable rural tourism and is inviting applications for 2024.
Over the past three cycles, the United Nations Tourism Organization, formerly known as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has seen a surge in participation, with nearly 600 applications from around 100 countries. The organization's Best Tourism Villages network currently includes 186 villages around the world, of which 129 have achieved Best Tourism Village status and a further 57 are participating in improvement-focused upgrade programs. . This network extends to his 55 countries on five continents.
Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary-General, said: “The United Nations Tourism Organization's Best Tourism Villages recognize rural destinations where tourism is effectively embraced as a tool for sustainable growth, opportunity or the preservation of unique cultural and natural heritage. We look forward to seeing more examples of tourism as a force for good in the 2024 edition.”
Application Requirements
UN Tourism is encouraging member countries to propose up to eight villages for consideration through their National Tourism Authorities (NTAs). The application period is open until April 24, 2024, and the announcement of the selected villages is expected later this year.
An independent advisory committee of multidisciplinary experts will evaluate applications. The assessment focuses on her nine key areas: 1. Culture and Natural Resources. 2. Preservation and promotion of cultural resources. 3. Economic sustainability. 4. Social sustainability. 5. Environmental sustainability. 6. Tourism development and integration into value chains. 7. Governance and tourism prioritization. 8. Infrastructure and Connectivity. 9. Health, Safety, and Security.
Promoting rural tourism development
The Best Tourism Villages, a UN Tourism initiative launched in 2021, aims to make tourism a driver of rural prosperity and well-being. It employs his two strategies. One is to recognize and preserve the unique characteristics of rural areas, such as landscapes, cultural diversity and knowledge systems, and the other is to promote innovative approaches in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This effort is structured around three key elements:
- “Best Tourism Village by United Nations Tourism” is a rural tourist destination that embodies outstanding cultural and natural attributes, a commitment to sustainability, and the promotion of rural and community-based values and lifestyles. will be commended. Villages are selected based on their performance in nine areas, including the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.
- The upgrade program within the “Best Tourism Villages by United Nations Tourism Organization” provides assistance to villages that do not fully meet the certification criteria. These villages are receiving support from UNWTO and its partners to fill the identified gaps.
- The “Best Tourism Villages by United Nations Tourism Organization” network fosters the exchange of experiences, best practices and opportunities. This includes representatives from both the certified Best Tourism Villages and the Upgrade Program. The network benefits from the contributions of experts and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors who are dedicated to promoting tourism as a tool for rural development. Since its launch, the network has organized various training sessions and masterclasses that have benefited hundreds of participants.
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