UN Tourism launches digital self-assessment tool for rural tourism, STAR

  UN Tourism has unveiled its pioneering digital self-assessment tool designed to progress tourism development in rural areas. The UN Tourism Self-assessment Tool to Assist Rural Destinations, STAR, allows local public authorities in rural destinations to self-evaluate and measure their level of tourism development. It also provides tailored recommendations, benchmarking different destinations and generating valuable…

European Committee of the Regions and UN Tourism Unveil Study on Rural Tourism and Development in Europe

The report emphasizes the critical role of cooperation between these two organizations in bridging local and global efforts towards shared objectives. It showcases the potential of rural tourism to contribute to the resilience of regional and local communities, addressing challenges such as depopulation, inequality and limited access to basic services. Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of…

Nurturing Innovation: Insights from the Sharing of Good Practices Series in Rupit

In the quest for sustainable tourism management, communities around the world are continuously seeking innovative solutions to address challenges and enhance visitor experiences. Recently, the BTV Network embarked on its first session of the Sharing of Good Practices series for the year, focusing on the theme of Destination Management. In this illuminating session titled “Destination…

Inspiring Tales of Women from Best Tourism Villages

Let’s reflect on the remarkable women who have been the driving force behind the success and vibrancy of our Best Tourism Villages across the globe. Their stories exemplify resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to community development. Dongbaek, Republic of Korea: Women lead at the Village Mill, promoting camellia products and services, enhancing tourism experiences,…

Unlocking the Potential of AI for Rural Tourism: Insights from the BTV Network Tech Talk

In an exciting and enlightening session hosted by the BTV Network, we recently presented a thought-provoking Tech Talk titled “AI-Powered Solutions for Rural Tourism”. This virtual event held in two languages brought together stakeholders from our vibrant network of villages to explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence in the tourism sector. Led by the…

Al Sela

Al Sela JORDANAl Sela JORDANAl Sela JORDAN AL SELA JORDAN 2023 Contact Alsela, Tafilah, Jordan   The village is located on the path of migration of soaring birds. Al Sela village has unique natural and cultural features including scenic nature and the beautiful landscape of valleys, mountains and plateaus, as well as the presence of…

Informative sessions organised for Best Tourism Villages 2024 application process

In a notable development, the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiated a series of Online Informative Sessions in February. A total of six sessions were conducted in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. The informative outreach garnered significant interest, drawing in 117 participants from our Member States. During these sessions, the dedicated team members systematically…

Charting the Course: Transformative Journey from Village Enhancement to Sustainability

By Geovanna Robayo Guerra, Ms. In Sustainable Tourism Management    The path towards sustainability presents opportunities and challenges for the people in villages undergoing the Upgrade Villages Programme by UN Tourism. This initiative addresses challenges and seizes opportunities to create actions that appeal to tourists who value culture and nature. Within the Upgrade programme, enchanting…