The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently released its annual list of the best tourism villages worldwide, focusing on social and environmental sustainability and the quality of their tourism initiatives.
Three remote Spanish communities, as Guardian reports, were included in the list, earning the most entries for a single country.
The 32 destinations on the list are in different countries such as Austria, Vietnam, China, Israel and Italy. Spain is represented by three villages: Rupit, a medieval Catalan village, Alquézar in the Sierra de Guara in Aragon, and Guadalupe, famous for its monastery in the Extremadura region.
“We are delighted that the UNWTO has placed Spain as the country with the most appearances in its list. We aim to promote community-led tourism across Spain and are thrilled at the international recognition," said Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London.
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The 32 award-winning villages are located in 18 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. They were selected by an independent advisory board based on criteria such as culture, natural resources and sustainability in economic, social and environmental terms.
A total of 136 villages from 57 UNWTO member states were nominated for the 2022 awards (each could nominate up to three villages).
“For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a true game changer in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO's secretary-general.
“The UNWTO Best Tourism Villages list showcases the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside big cities.”
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The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Al'Ula, Saudi Arabia in February.
Here's the list of UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages 2022:
- Zell am See, Austria
- Wagrain, Austria
- Puqueldón, Chile
- Dazhai, China
- Jingzhu, China
- Choachí, Colombia
- Aguarico, Ecuador
- Angochagua, Ecuador
- Mulu Ecovillage, Ethiopia
- Mestia, Georgia
- Kfar Kama, Israel
- Sauris-Zahre, Italy
- Isola del Giglio, Italy
- Umm Qais, Jordan
- Creel, Mexico
- El Fuerte, Mexico
- Ksar Elkhorbat, Morocco
- Moulay Bouzerktoune, Morocco
- Lamas, Peru
- Raqchi, Peru
- Castelo Novo, Portugal
- Pyeongsa-ri, South Korea
- Rasinari, Romania
- Al’Ula Old Town, Saudi Arabia
- Bohinj, Slovenia
- Rupit, Spain
- Alquézar, Spain
- Guadalupe, Spain
- Murten, Switzerland
- Andermatt, Switzerland
- Birgi, Türkiye
- Thái Hải, Vietnam
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