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 villages joining the Best Tourism Villages (BTV) Network. The BTV Network grows every year, and with the announcement of its 72 new members, 319 villages are now part of the largest community of rural destinations in the world.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: "Tourism can be a powerful tool to progress shared prosperity, inclusive growth and territorial cohesion in rural areas. Our Best Tourism Villages 2025 highlight communities that are working to safeguard their cultural heritage, preserve their natural resources and create economic opportunities through tourism. These villages show that by embracing tourism, they can promote social inclusion and build a future where no one is left behind."
The list of new villages was announced during a special ceremony in Huzhou City, China.
Tourism for Rural Development gains momentum
The Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative launched in 2021, under the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme, accelerates the role of tourism in rural development by valuing and safeguarding rural areas along with their associated landscapes, knowledge systems, biological diversity and cultural heritage.
Candidate villages are assessed by an independent Advisory Board under nine areas of evaluation:
- Cultural and Natural Resources
- Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
- Economic Sustainability
- Social Sustainability
- Environmental Sustainability
- Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
- Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
- Infrastructure and Connectivity
- Health, Safety, and Security
The initiative comprises three pillars:
- Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism: Recognizes rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
- Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Upgrade Programme: Supports high-potential villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping them improve in areas identified as weakness during evaluation.
- The Best Tourism Villages Network: A space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learning, and opportunities among its members, and it is open to contributions from experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.
The list of the 52 Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2025 is as follows (in alphabetical order by village):
- Agaete, Spain
- Akyaka, Türkiye
- Aldea San Cristóbal El Alto, Guatemala
- Anıtlı, Türkiye
- Antônio Prado, Brazil
- Arquà Petrarca, Italy
- Asolo, Italy
- Asuka, Japan
- Barbaros, Türkiye
- Bellano, Italy
- Bled, Slovenia
- Carlos Pellegrini, Argentina
- Chamarel, Mauritius
- Digang, China
- Dongluo, China
- Ezcaray, Spain
- Flößerstadt Schiltach, Germany
- Grand River South East, Mauritius
- Hosszúhetény, Hungary
- Huanggang, China
- Jikayi, China
- Kale Üçağız, Turkiye
- Kandelous, Iran
- Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia
- Khinalig, Azerbaijan
- Kolochava, Ukraine
- Koyasan, Japan
- Krupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia Herzegovina
- Loriga, Portugal
- Lô Lô Chải, Viet Nam
- Maimará, Argentina
- Marktgemeinde Bad Hindelang, Germany
- Masfout, United Arab Emirates
- Mértola, Portugal
- Mórahalom, Hungary
- Muju Village, Republic of Korea
- Murillo, Colombia
- Neot Semadar, Israel
- North Azraq, Jordan
- Pacto, Ecuador
- Pemuteran, Indonesia
- Plateliai, Lithuania
- Pont-Croix, France
- Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village, Viet Nam
- Shafiabad, Iran
- Shodoshima, Japan
- Soheili, Iran
- Synevyrska Polyana, Ukraine
- Tonosho, Japan
- Valendas, Switzerland
- Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Portugal
- Yangsuri, Republic of Korea
Additionally, 20 villages have been selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme this year:
- Al-Bashandi Village, Egypt
- Brihuega, Spain
- Comuna Chiguilpe de la Nacionalidad Tsa'chila, Ecuador
- Dawa Village, China
- Evolène, Switzerland
- Iraq Al-Amir, Jordan
- Kemiren, Indonesia
- Lolol, Chile
- Meisenheim, Germany
- Montagnana, Italy
- Nari Village, Republic of Korea
- Nopala de Villagrán, Mexico
- Omonxona, Uzbekistan
- Oosterend, Netherlands
- Orduña, Spain
- Parroquia Biblián, Ecuador
- Quintandona, Portugal
- San Javier y Yacanto, Argentina
- San Martín de Unx, Spain
- Sant'Andrea di Conza, Italy
The call for submissions for the sixth edition will take place in the first quarter of 2026, opening a new opportunity for rural destinations to share their inspiring initiatives and get global recognition as tourism for rural development champions.
