5 February 2025: UN Tourism has opened applications for the 2025 edition of its prestigious Best Tourism Villages initiative. This initiative marks a continued commitment to advancing rural tourism as a catalyst for sustainable development and inclusion, while celebrating the rich tapestry of cultural and natural heritage, community values, and sustainable practices that make these…
UN Tourism joined with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam to host the First Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in the historic town of Hoi An. The event brought together government officials, international and regional financial institutions, development agencies, tourism professionals, rural community leaders, researchers and NGOs to explore policies and…
UN Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam, will convene global and local leaders, policy makers, and industry pioneers for the First Conference on Tourism for Rural Development (Hoi An, Viet Nam 9-11 December). The Conference will bring together representatives from national and local governments, international organizations, and the…
From Caviahue-Copahue in Argentina to Tra Que Vegetable Village in Viet Nam, discover the 55 new Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism. 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…
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…