In a celebration of rural tradition and sustainable development, the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) announced the new list of the 52 “Best Tourism Villages” for 2025, along with 20 villages included in the Upgrade Programme. The announcement took place during a special ceremony in the city of Huzhou, China.
Do not look for a Greek village on the list: there isn’t one.
In total, 72 villages from around the world become members this year of the Best Tourism Villages (BTV) Network, which now counts 319 members, making it the largest global community of rural destinations.
This year’s fifth edition of the programme included more than 270 nominations from 65 member states of the organization. The selected villages come from all regions of the world — Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Statement by UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili (photo)
“Tourism can be a powerful tool to promote shared prosperity, inclusive development, and territorial cohesion in rural areas.
The ‘Best Tourism Villages 2025’ highlight communities that protect their cultural heritage, preserve their natural resources, and create economic opportunities through tourism.
These villages show that by embracing tourism, they can strengthen social inclusion and build a future where no one is left behind.”
The 52 “Best Tourism Villages 2025” (alphabetically):
Agaete (Spain)
Akyaka (Turkey)
Aldea San Crist?bal El Alto (Guatemala)
An?tl? (Turkey)
Ant?nio Prado (Brazil)
Arqu? Petrarca (Italy)
Asolo (Italy)
Asuka (Japan)
Barbaros (Turkey)
Bellano (Italy)
Bled (Slovenia)
Carlos Pellegrini (Argentina)
Chamarel (Mauritius)
Digang (China)
Dongluo (China)
Ezcaray (Spain)
Fl??erstadt Schiltach (Germany)
Grand River South East (Mauritius)
Hossz?het?ny (Hungary)
Huanggang (China)
Jikayi (China)
Kale ??a??z (Turkey)
Kandelous (Iran)
Ka?telir Labinci (Croatia)
Khinalig (Azerbaijan)
Kolochava (Ukraine)
Koyasan (Japan)
Krupa na Vrbasu (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Loriga (Portugal)
L? L? Ch?i (Vietnam)
Maimar? (Argentina)
Marktgemeinde Bad Hindelang (Germany)
Masfout (United Arab Emirates)
M?rtola (Portugal)
M?rahalom (Hungary)
Muju Village (South Korea)
Murillo (Colombia)
Neot Semadar (Israel)
North Azraq (Jordan)
Pacto (Ecuador)
Pemuteran (Indonesia)
Plateliai (Lithuania)
Pont-Croix (France)
Quynh Son Community-based Tourism Village (Vietnam)
Shafiabad (Iran)
Shodoshima (Japan)
Soheili (Iran)
Synevyrska Polyana (Ukraine)
Tonosho (Japan)
Valendas (Switzerland)
Vila Nogueira de Azeit?o (Portugal)
Yangsuri (South Korea)
The 20 villages of the “Upgrade Programme” for 2025:
Al-Bashandi Village (Egypt)
Brihuega (Spain)
Comuna Chiguilpe de la Nacionalidad Tsa’chila (Ecuador)
Dawa Village (China)
Evol?ne (Switzerland)
Iraq Al-Amir (Jordan)
Kemiren (Indonesia)
Lolol (Chile)
Meisenheim (Germany)
Montagnana (Italy)
The Evaluation
Applications are evaluated by an independent International Advisory Committee consisting of experts in various fields (preservation of cultural and natural resources, sustainability, tourism product development, marketing, value chain, etc.) based on nine areas:
Cultural and Natural Resources
Promotion and Preservation of Cultural Resources
Economic Sustainability
Social Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability
Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
Governance and Tourism Prioritization
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Health and Safety
The Best Tourism Villages initiative includes three integral components:
1. “Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism” recognizes outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with cultural and natural assets that preserve and promote rural and community values, products, and lifestyles, with a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability. Selection is based on an evaluation of their resources and initiatives in the nine areas mentioned above, covering the three pillars of sustainable development — economic, social, and environmental.
2. The Upgrade Programme benefits certain villages that do not fully meet the criteria to receive recognition. These villages receive support from UN Tourism and its public and private sector partners to address the gaps identified during the evaluation process.
3. The “Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism” Network provides a platform for exchanging experiences, good practices, and opportunities. It includes representatives from the villages recognized as “Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism,” as well as those participating in the Upgrade Programme. The Network also contributes to the Organization’s work in identifying best practices, developing guidelines, and policy recommendations.
The BTV Network organizes a series of training sessions and masterclasses, assisting hundreds of participants.
