By Beyza Binnur Donmez
ANKARA (AA) - Two villages in Turkey have been selected for the UN's Best Tourism Villages list, the UN World Tourism Organizations (UNWTO) said Thursday.
Mustafapasa village in central Nevsehir province and Tarakli village in northwestern Sakarya province are among the "best examples of villages embracing tourism to provide opportunity," said UNWTO.
"A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted the recognition in 2021," it said in a statement. "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).”
A total of 174 villages were proposed by member countries and were evaluated from a set of criteria including, cultural and natural resources, economic, social and environmental sustainability, tourism, health, safety and security, among other metrics.
The announcement of the chosen villages came during a General Assembly meeting in Madrid.
"Tourism can be a driver of social cohesion and inclusion by promoting a fairer distribution of benefits throughout the territory and empowering local communities," according to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. "This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing."
- List of 44 villages
Bekhovo, Russian Federation
Bkassine, Lebanon
Bojo, Philippines
Caspala, Argentina
Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mexico
Cumeada, Portugal
Gruyeres, Switzerland
Batu Puteh , Malaysia
Kaunertal, Austria
Le Morne, Mauritius
Lekunberri, Spain
Mani, Mexico
Misfat Al Abriyeen, Oman
Miyama, Japan
Mokra Gora, Serbia
Morella, Spain
Mustafapasa, 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
Rijal Alma'a, Saudi Arabia
Testo Alto, Brazil
Saas Fee, Switzerland
San Cosme y Damian, Paraguay
San Ginesio, Italy
Sidi Kaouki, Morocco
Solcava, Slovenia
Soufli, Greece
Taraklı, Turkey
The Purple Island, Republic of Korea
Ungok Village, Republic of Korea
Valposchiavo, Switzerland
Wonchi, Ethiopia
Xidi, China
Yucun, China