UNWTO Best Tourism Villages 2022 – Call for Nominations

UNWTO invites applications for UNWTO Best Tourism Villages 2022

When is the Application Deadline:

28th June 2022

Tell Me About UNWTO Best Tourism Villages:

Launched in 2021, Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO promotes and enhances the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, knowledge systems, and local values and activities, including gastronomy. At the same time, the initiative also promotes transformative approaches to the development of tourism in rural destinations that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Member States invited to present candidates Following on from the success of pilot project in 2021, UNWTO has announced the return of Best Tourism Villages for 2022. In 2021 over 40 villages from more than 30 countries across the five world regions (from over 170 applications) were recognized as Best Tourism Villages and a further 20 villages were selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme. Now, UNWTO Members States are invited once again to present candidacies through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). Applications will be open until 28 June 2022 and the chosen villages will be announced at the end of the year.

The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ recognizes outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with recognized cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyle and have a clear committed to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental. The recognition is based on an evaluation of their resources and initiatives in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development. The UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme assists a select number of villages among those that do not fully meet the criteria to obtain the recognition. The villages receive support from UNWTO and Partners in improving elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices. It includes representatives of the villages recognized as ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ as well as those participating in the Upgrade Programme and it will benefit from the contributions of experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development. The Network also contributes to the work of UNWTO in identifying good practices, developing guidelines and policy recommendations as well as insights and knowledge.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.

What Type of Scholarship is this?

Contest

Who Can Apply?

• Low population density, and a maximum of 15,000 inhabitants.
• Be located in a landscape with an important presence of traditional activities such as agriculture, forestry, livestock or fishing.
• Share community values and lifestyle.

How are Applicants Selected for UNWTO Best Tourism Villages?

Applications will be evaluated by an independent advisory board through a set of indicators covering the following areas:

1. Cultural and Natural Resources

2. Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources

3. Economic Sustainability

4. Social Sustainability

5. Environmental Sustainability

6. Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration

7. Governance and Prioritization of Tourism

8. Infrastructure and Connectivity

9. Health, Safety and Security

Applications will be evaluated by an external independent Advisory Board consisting of experts in these different fields based on the nine evaluation areas covering natural and cultural resources as well as initiatives in the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental.

Which Countries are Eligible?

UNWTO Member states

What is the Benefit of UNWTO Best Tourism Villages ?

How to Apply for UNWTO Best Tourism Villages:

• – Applications should exclusively be presented online by UNWTO Members States (National
  Tourism Administrations).
• – Read carefully the Terms and Conditions.
• – Read carefully the Guidelines for Application.
• – Read carefully the PDF version of the Application form.
• – Fill out the Candidacy Document and upload it in the corresponding section of the Online Application Form.
• – Prepare a general presentation following the proposed structure in the General Presentation Template and upload it in the corresponding section of the Online Application Form.
• – Provide the supporting visual files requested in the Online Application Form.

Apply here

It is important to go through all application requirements before applying.

Goodluck!

Visit Award Webpage for Details