Rural destinations consolidate their position as key players in sustainable tourism and community development as UN Tourism announces its Best Tourism Villages 2024. In this fourth edition, 55 villages from all regions received the recognition, chosen from over 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism Member States. Another 20 villages were chosen to join…
UN Tourism and the TUI Care Foundation invite artisans in rural destinations across Africa to apply to the Colourful Cultures small grants initiative. Applications can now be submitted for projects in Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Tunisia, and Zambia UN Tourism and the TUI Care Foundation launch ‘Colourful Cultures’, a…
As part of its focus on rural development, UN Tourism has concluded an executive training session for sector leaders from across the Asia and the Pacific region. Held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (5-6 August 2024) the two-day titled ‘Practical Approach to Strategy and Product Development’ event brought together officials responsible for rural tourism strategy…
Xidi village, situated in the southern region of Anhui Province, China, falls within Yi County under the administration of Huangshan City. Renowned for its immaculate traditional architecture, a reflection of ancient culture, Xidi earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2000 and was recognized as the Best Tourism Village (BTV) by UN Tourism in…
UN Tourism and TUI Care Foundation have solidified their ongoing partnership by signing an agreement at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid. The agreement focuses on empowering artists and artisans, particularly women and youth, in rural tourism destinations in Africa. With this new agreement, TUI Care Foundation becomes the first partner to support the pilot…
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…
Over 260 villages from more than 60 countries representing the five regions of the world have put themselves forward for the 2024 edition of Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2024. This marks the highest volume of applications ever received in the past four editions. Application Window Closes for Fourth Edition Applications for the fourth…
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…
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…
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,…