Overview

From Koyasan in Japan to Chamarel in Mauritius and Bled in Slovenia, a total of 52 villages from 29 countries have been honored as the Best Tourism Villages for 2025, showcasing the potential of tourism to uplift local communities.

Recognition

The fifth edition features 52 villages selected from over 270 submissions across 65 UN Tourism Member States, reflecting the diversity of rural tourism. Alongside these recognized villages, 20 others are joining the Upgrade Programme within the Best Tourism Villages (BTV) Network, bringing the total to 319 engaged villages.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili states: “Tourism can be a powerful tool to progress shared prosperity, inclusive growth and territorial cohesion in rural areas… These villages demonstrate that by embracing tourism, they endorse social inclusion and a future where no one is left behind.”

Ceremony

The recognitions were announced in a ceremony in Huzhou City, China.

Initiative Details

The initiative, which began in 2021, aims to accelerate the role of tourism in rural development by valuing communities and cultural heritage. Villages are evaluated across nine criteria, including cultural and natural resources, economic and social sustainability, and governance.

New Members

The list of the 52 Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2025 includes:

• Agaete, Spain
• Akyaka, Türkiye
• Aldea San Cristóbal El Alto, Guatemala
• Antonio Prado, Brazil
• And more…

Additionally, 20 villages were selected for the Upgrade Programme, offering them an opportunity to improve their tourism potential and sustainability practices.

The next call for submissions for the sixth edition will be in early 2026, allowing more rural destinations to participate.