Perched along a ridge overlooking the Sibillini Mountains, San Ginesio has for centuries embodied a unique dialogue between architecture and community life. Here, ancient walls are not merely defensive structures, but repositories of shared memory. Its piazzas are not simply public spaces, but places of encounter, celebration, and collective identity. That is why, when the…
In the vast, shimmering landscape of Gujarat’s Great Rann of Kutch, the village of Dhordo has emerged as a powerful example of how heritage, community resilience and responsible tourism can together create a destination of global significance. In 2023, Dhordo received the distinguished recognition of Best Tourism Village from the United Nations World Tourism Organization—an…
Since its launch in 2021, Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism attracted more than 1,000 applications from 100 countries. Today, the Network brings together 319 rural destinations worldwide, including more than 230 villages recognized as Best Tourism Villages and 83 taking part in the Upgrade Programme, representing a total of 65 countries across five world…
There are places that quietly leave a mark on you, not because they try to impress, but because they remain deeply, unapologetically themselves. For me, Krupa na Vrbasu was always one of those places. Nestled along the emerald waters of the Vrbas River, just outside Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Krupa na Vrbasu has…
Rural tourism in Argentina has undergone a profound transformation. In the early 20th century, it was oriented towards a public that visited large estancias, where rural life was almost a staged experience. Over time, this perspective evolved: it became clear that tourism in rural environments can diversify local economies, strengthen community identity, and enhance the…
Developed under the Tourism for Rural Development Programme, the two online courses — focusing on “Product Development and Marketing for Rural Areas” and “Design Thinking for Rural Tourism Development” — are now live and available free of charge in both English and Spanish. Designed to be practical, accessible, user friendly, the MOOCs will equip those…
The latest list of Best Tourism Villages has been announced. In this fifth edition, 52 villages from all regions – Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East – received the recognition, selected from over 270 applications from 65 UN Tourism Member States. Another 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, with all 72…
The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Network recently held another edition of Village Talks, this time centered on the theme: “Cultivating Heritage: Agritourism Experiences from the Field.” The session explored how agritourism is emerging as a bridge between farming, culture, and tourism, generating livelihoods while safeguarding biodiversity and traditions. Co-organized with the Food and…
In the shadow of Rwanda’s volcanic highlands, Indigenous communities have long been the silent architects of cultural resilience and ecological stewardship. At Red Rocks Rwanda, we’ve witnessed how Indigenous identity isn’t just a heritage to preserve, it’s a dynamic force shaping the future of sustainable tourism. Together with the community of Nkotsi village, recognized by…
Tourism was in the spotlight as a powerful lever for structural transformation at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3). Hosted by UN Tourism, the side event “Tourism: Driving Economic Diversification and Inclusion in LLDCs,” brought together government leaders, UN agencies, and bilateral development actors, to explore how sustainable and rural tourism…