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Saudi, Oman projects make it to UNWTO best tourism village list

MADRID, December 4, 2021

Two major projects from the Gulf region - Rijal Alma'a (Saudi Arabia) and Misfat Al Abriyeen (Oman) - have made it to the list of Best Tourism Villages which has been compiled by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for 2021.
 
The two GCC landmarks are among a total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions which were granted the recognition in 2021 at key event in Madrid, Spain. 
 
All of them stand out for their natural and cultural resources as well as for their innovative and transformative actions and commitment to the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said the statement from UNWTO.
 
The best examples of villages embracing tourism to provide opportunity and drive sustainable development have been celebrated at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Madrid.
 
The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative was launched to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and their local values and activities, including local gastronomy.
 
This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing. The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas: Cultural and Natural Resources; Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
Economic Sustainability; Social Sustainability; Environmental Sustainability; Tourism Potential and Development and Value Chain Integration; Governance and Prioritization of Tourism Infrastructure and Connectivity and Health, Safety and Security.
 
All of the 44 chosen villages scored a total of 80 or more points or more out of a possible 100, it stated.
 
"Tourism can be a driver of social cohesion and inclusion by promoting a fairer distribution of benefits throughout the territory and empowering local communities," remarked UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. 
 
"This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing," he stated.
 
The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative includes three pillars:  
 
*Recognizes villages which are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with renowned cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental.
 
*The Upgrade programme will benefit a number of villages that do not fully meet the criteria to receive the recognition. These villages will receive support from UNWTO and its partners in improving elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process.
 
*The UNWTO Network will provide a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learnings, and opportunities. It will include representatives of the villages recognized as the ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ , the villages participating in the Upgrade Programme, as well as experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development.
 
According to the global tourism body, a total 174 villages were proposed by 75 UNWTO member states (each member state could present a maximum of three villages) for the 2021 pilot initiative. 
 
Beside these 44, another 20 villages will enter the Upgrade Programme of the Initiative. All 64 villages enter to make part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network. The next edition will open in February.
 
The others in the list of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2021 are: Bekhovo (Russia); Bkassine (Lebanon); Bojo (Philippines); Caspalá (Argentina); Castelo Rodrigo (Portugal); Cuetzalan del Progreso (Mexico); Cumeada (Portugal); Gruyères (Switzerland); Batu Puteh (Malaysia); Kaunertal (Austria); Le Morne (Mauritius); Lekunberri (Spain); Maní (Mexico); Miyama (Japan); Mokra Gora (Serbia); Morella (Spain); Mustafapaşa (Turkey); Nglanggeran (Indonesia); Niseko (Japan); Nkotsi Village (Rwanda); Old Grand Port (Mauritius); Olergesailie (Kenya) Ollantaytambo (Peru); Pano Lefkara (Cyprus); Pica (Chile); Pochampally, (India); Puerto Williams (Chile); Radovljica (Slovenia); Testo Alto (Brazil); Saas Fee (Switzerland); San Cosme y Damiá (Paraguay); San Ginesio (Italy); Sidi Kaouki (Morocco); Solčava (Slovenia); Soufli (Greece); Taraklı (Turkey); The Purple Island and Ungok Village (Korea); Valposchiavo (Switzerland) Wonchi (Ethiopia) and Xidi and Yucun (China).
 
Additionally, UNWTO said it will work with the following villages participating in the Upgrade Programme: Ordino (Andorra); Khinalig (Azerbaijan); Koprivshtitsa (Bulgaria); Kaštelir Labinci (Croatia); Agros (Cyprus); Fuwah (Egypt); Western Samos (Greece); Hollókő (Hungary); Biei (Japan); Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico); Godinje and Gornja Lastva (Montenegro); Oukaimeden (Morocco); Barangay Tenani, Philippines); Gasura (Rwanda); Gostilje (Serbia); Gorenja Vas (Slovenia); Cantavieja (Spain); Bo Suak, Thailand and Ruboni (Uganda).-TradeArabia News Service



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