UN Tourism has released its most recent ranking of the Best Tourism Villages. Out of approximately 270 bids from 65 UN Tourism Member States, 52 communities from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East were chosen for recognition in this fifth edition.
All 72 villages have joined the Best Tourism Villages (BTV) Network, and 20 more communities have joined the Upgrade Program. Every year, the BTV Network expands, and with the introduction of its 72 new members, 319 villages have joined the world’s largest network of rural destinations.
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.”
In Huzhou City, China, the list of new villages was revealed at a special ceremony.
By valuing and protecting rural areas and the landscapes, knowledge systems, biological diversity, and cultural heritage that are associated with them, the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative, which was started in 2021 as part of the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme, accelerates the role of tourism in rural development.
An independent Advisory Board evaluates candidate villages in nine different areas:
•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 which also includes:
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.
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The list of the 52 Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2025 is as follows:
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.
