UNWTO named the world’s best tourist villages for tourists — lovers of new “ecological” trends and fresh air. A total of 32 villages from about several dozen countries were included in the list, and the selection was strict and by new tourist trends.
So, according to the UNWTO statement, one of the main criteria was that all the selected sites were chosen for how they “increase the number of visitors without destroying what visitors come to see”. “The award recognizes rural destinations that use tourism as a driver of development and new opportunities for work and income, preserving and promoting values and products based on community traditions. The initiative also recognizes villages for their commitment to innovation and sustainability in all aspects. – economic, social, and environmental,” the association said in a statement. It also emphasizes that the program is aimed at “combating rural depopulation, promoting gender equality, innovation, infrastructure, and investment, as well as reducing regional income and development disparities — all while implementing sustainable tourism and reducing emissions and waste.”.
136 villages from 57 states were nominated for the role of candidates in the list, and only three towns from each country could be submitted. The only country where all three candidates made the list of leaders in Spain, from which the villages of Rupit, Alcézar, and Guadalupe made a list. From some countries, they managed to get two villages each – from Switzerland to China and Ecuador.
The entire list of the most beautiful and “advanced” villages looks like this:
- Zell am See, Austria
- Wagrain, Austria
- Pukeldon, Chile
- Dazai, China
- Jinzhou, China
- Chachi, Colombia
- Aguarico, Ecuador
- Angochagua, Ecuador
- Ecovillage of the Throttle Mountains, Ethiopia
- Mestia, Georgia
- Kfar Kama, Israel
- Sauris Zori, Italy
- Isola del Giglio, Italy
- Umm Qais, Jordan
- Cyril, Mexico
- El Fuerte, Mexico
- Ksar Elkhorbat, Morocco
- Moulay Bouzerktoun, Morocco
- Llama, Peru
- Racchi, Peru
- Castela Nova, Portugal
- Pyeongsa-RI, Republic of Korea
- Tassinari, Romania
- The old city of Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia.
- Bohinj, Slovenia
- Rupit, Spain
- Alquezar, Spain
- Guadeloupe, Spain
- Muerte, Switzerland
- Andermatt, Switzerland
- Birgi, Turkey
- Thai, Vietnam