Celebrating Rural Tourism & Sustainable Growth
UN Tourism has launched the 2025 Best Tourism Villages initiative, spotlighting rural destinations that excel in sustainability, cultural preservation, and community development. Since 2021, the program has recognized 254 villages across nearly 60 countries, fostering global tourism excellence.
Application & Selection Process
✔ Tourism authorities from UN Tourism member states can submit up to eight candidate villages.
✔ Applications close on May 19, with winners announced in Q3 2025.
✔ An expert advisory board evaluates entries based on nine key criteria, including economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
A Platform for Global Recognition & Support
The initiative includes:
- Best Tourism Villages Recognition – Celebrating top-performing villages.
- Upgrade Programme – Helping near-qualifiers meet recognition standards.
- Best Tourism Villages Network – Connecting villages for collaboration & knowledge sharing.
By fostering resilience, innovation, and responsible tourism, UN Tourism continues to empower rural destinations worldwide.
Could an African village make the 2025 list? Applications are open!
