Top UN Tourism Villages 2024: What This Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs in the Travel Sector
In its fifth edition, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced 52 Best Tourism Villages for 2025, representing Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. These outstanding villages were selected from 270 applications submitted by 65 UNWTO member states.
In addition to the 52 newly designated villages, 20 more have been admitted to the Upgrade Programme, bringing the total number of villages in the Best Tourism Villages (BTV) Network to 319. This network is the largest global community dedicated to rural tourism destinations and continues to expand each year.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the initiative’s impact, stating: “Tourism can be a powerful tool to progress shared prosperity, inclusive growth, and territorial cohesion in rural areas. Our Best Tourism Villages 2025 highlight communities that are working to safeguard their cultural heritage, preserve their natural resources, and create economic opportunities through tourism. These villages demonstrate that embracing tourism promotes social inclusion and builds a future where no one is left behind.”
The announcement was made during a special ceremony held in Huzhou City, China.
Launched in 2021 under the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme, the Best Tourism Villages initiative fosters rural development by protecting landscapes, cultural heritage, biodiversity, and traditional knowledge systems through sustainable tourism.
The 52 Best Tourism Villages for 2025 are:
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), Yangsuri (Republic of Korea).
The 20 villages selected for the Upgrade Programme are:
Al-Bashandi Village (Egypt), Brihuega (Spain), Comuna Chiguilpe de la Nacionalidad Tsa’chila (Ecuador), Dawa Village (China), Evolène (Switzerland), Iraq Al-Amir (Jordan), Kemiren (Indonesia), Lolol (Chile), Meisenheim (Germany), Montagnana (Italy), Nari Village (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), Sant’Andrea di Conza (Italy).
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The UN Tourism’s expansion of the Best Tourism Villages Network to 319 global rural destinations highlights a growing global emphasis on sustainable, culturally rich rural tourism. For businesses in Oman, this signals a strategic opportunity to develop and promote Omani rural villages as unique tourism hubs, leveraging local heritage to attract niche travelers. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider partnering with rural communities and integrating sustainability principles to tap into this rising trend while mitigating risks related to over-tourism and cultural dilution.
