from Argentina to Japan, the 55 destinations chosen in the Best Tourism Villages

It is clear that Argentina was one of the big winners at night during the Best Tourism Villages 2024 ceremony, which took place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, this Thursday, November 14.

The UN Tourism program, created in 2021 with the aim of promoting the role of tourism in rural areas, awarded 55 towns from different regions of the world in this edition. A complicated choice if you take into account that There were about 260 candidates from more than 60 countries.

Of the 55 chosen, Argentina obtained four towns awarded as the best in the world, to which is added a fifth town chosen to join the the Upgrade program. China also stood out with seven towns and Peru, with five.

“Tourism is a essential tool for inclusionwhich empowers rural communities to protect and value their rich cultural heritage, while driving sustainable development,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

“The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages, but also highlights the transformative power of tourism. By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and improve the quality of life for their residents,” he added.

For its part, Daniel ScioliSecretary of Tourism, Environment and Sports of Argentina, said: “It is a unpublished fact that, of the eight Argentine candidates, four have been selected. This represents another window in the presentation platform of our country with its wonderful natural settings, added to its gastronomy and the hospitality of the people who live in rural towns to receive tourists from all over the world.”

Scioli was present at the awards ceremony and, at the end of the announcements, he He gave an Argentine National Team shirt to the mayor of Cartagena de Indiasand he also wore a T-shirt that has the boat with which he had the accident engraved “with the obvious consequences that are visible.”

The Best Tourism Villages network expands every year and after the announcement of the new winners, there are now 254 villages that are part of “the largest community of rural destinations in the world.”

The nominated towns were evaluated by a panel of experts who took into account these issues:

• Cultural and natural resources

• Promotion and conservation of cultural resources

• Economic sustainability

• Tourism development and value chain integration

• Governance and prioritization of tourism

• Infrastructure and connectivity

Argentina was the first country to take the stage with its winning towns, with a clear dominance of Patagonia and a curious fact: Those chosen were Gaiman and Trevelin, both in Chubut and both with an important Welsh heritage; Caviahue-Copahue in Neuquén and Villa Tulumba, considered the oldest town in Córdoba.

Here, in alphabetical order, the list of the 55 Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2024:

• Abo Noghta Castle & Historical Tabab (Saudi Arabia)

• Capulálpam de Méndez (Mexico)

• Caviahue-Copahue (Argentina)

• Cuatro Ciénegas de Carranza (Mexico)

• Anton Valley (Panama)

• San Casciano dei Bagni (Italy)

• San Juan del Obispo (Guatemala)

• San Rafael de la Laguna (Ecuador)

• Santa Cruz da Graciosa (Portugal)

• St. Johann in Tirol (Austria)

• Tra Que Vegetable Village (Viet Nam)

• Villa Tulumba (Argentina)