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…
The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Network recently convened another edition of Village Talks, this time focusing on the theme: “Tourism for Nature: Conserving Natural Resources through Sustainable Rural Development.” Organized as part of the ongoing series highlighting voices from the ground, the session explored how rural communities are leveraging tourism to protect their…
For many rural villages, remoteness is often seen as a disadvantage—a reason why young people leave and why economic opportunities seem scarce. But what if this very distance from city lights and noise could be transformed into a unique, sought-after treasure? As the founder of Visit Dark Skies, I have witnessed how villages can turn…
Nestled in the Alentejo region, the village of Cumeada has long embraced the poetry of silence, the vastness of nature, and the darkness of the night sky. As the headquarters of the Dark Sky® Alqueva, the world’s first Starlight Tourism Destination, our community has worked for over a decade to show that sustainable rural tourism can…
A new agreement has been signed to support the sustainable development of Abo Noghta Castles & Historic Tabab, a village in Saudi Arabia recognized as one of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism in 2024. The agreement was formalized under the patronage of the Aseer Development Authority. The initiative aims to enhance tourism services…
Tourism is a multi-trillion-dollar industry, but many communities—especially those in rural areas—are often left out of its benefits. At Planeterra, we’re working to change that. As the leading non-profit organization using tourism to uplift communities, we’ve seen firsthand how community tourism can be a powerful driver of sustainable rural development. When done right, community tourism…
As Saudi Arabia continues its transformative journey under Vision 2030, rural tourism has emerged as a powerful catalyst for sustainable development, economic diversification, and cultural preservation. Across the Kingdom, from the Asir highlands to AlUla’s heritage-rich landscapes, rural communities are becoming vibrant destinations, offering authentic experiences deeply rooted in tradition, biodiversity, and local stewardship. Rural…
Indonesia’s dedication to rural tourism received special attention at the 37th UN Tourism Joint Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) and South Asia (CSA), held in Jakarta recently. During the event, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili took the opportunity to felicitate Indonesia’s two recognised villages under the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism…