Best Tourism Villages 2026
UNWTO has opened applications until June 9 for the 6th edition of its Best Tourist Villages initiative
Hasta el martes, 09 de junio de 2026 a las 23:59
Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Since its launch in 2021, the UN Tourism Best Tourist Villages program has received over 1,000 applications from 100 countries. The Network now comprises 319 rural destinations worldwide, including more than 230 villages recognized as Best Tourist Villages and 83 participating in the Improvement Programme, representing a total of 65 countries across five regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.
UNWTO’s Members States can present up to eight villages through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). Applications will close on 9 June 2026 and the winners announced towards the end of the year. As with previous editions,
The initiative has three components:
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO‘ recognizes outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear committed to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects. Selection is based on an evaluation of their resources and initiatives in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development, economic, social and environmental.
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme benefits a number of villages among those that do not fully meet the criteria to obtain the recognition. These villages receive support from UNWTO and partners to address the gaps identified in the evaluation process.
- The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices and opportunities. It includes representatives of the villages recognized as ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ as well as the villages participating in the Upgrade Programme and it will benefit from the contributions of experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development. The Network also contributes to the work of UNWTO in identifying good practices, developing guidelines and policy recommendations as well as insights and knowledge.
The applications are evaluated by an independent International Advisory Board consisting of experts in different fields (cultural and natural resources preservation, sustainability, tourism product development, marketing, value chain, etc.) based on nine areas, including sustainability, infrastructure, connectivity, and tourism value chain integration.
Applications accepted until June 9, 2026.
More informatión in UNWTO
21/04/2026 11:13 | AdmonVLC2
URL oficial/canónica: https://desarrollolocal.emprenemjunts.es/?op=8&n=36004