London, UK – Within the tranquil corners of our world, the place timeless traditions intertwine with pristine landscapes, a strong revival is underway. Villages, usually forgotten within the wake of urbanisation, are defying the chances of depopulation by respiratory new life into their communities by means of the ability of tourism. By way of the lens of three extraordinary examples — Batu Puteh, Alquézar and Lekunberri — we uncover the profound affect of the United Nations World Tourism Group’s (UNWTO) Greatest Tourism Villages initiative. These villages stand as beacons of hope, illustrating how the synergy between heritage, sustainability, and entrepreneurship can form a brighter future for rural landscapes.
Batu Puteh – Constructing Resilience by means of Group-Primarily based Ecotourism
Deep throughout the rainforests of Sarawak, Malaysia, lies the village of Batu Puteh—a testomony to the ability of community-based ecotourism in reversing the tide of depopulation. This village, as soon as impacted by deforestation and the lack of conventional forest-based livelihoods, has emerged for example of resilience and sustainability. By embracing community-based ecotourism, Batu Puteh has efficiently harnessed its pure environment to drive financial development whereas preserving its fragile ecosystem. Guests actively take part in tree planting and forest restoration initiatives, making ecotourism a transformative and academic expertise. Pictures accessible right here.
Lekunberri – The place Custom Meets Entrepreneurship
Nestled between the colourful cities of Pamplona/Iruña and San Sebastián/Donostia within the Navarre area of Spain, Lekunberri defies the notion of rural decline. The village’s dedication to sustainable tourism as a driver of financial development and group empowerment has offered employment alternatives for the native inhabitants and invigorated the encompassing rural areas. Lekunberri has embraced digitalization to draw regional, nationwide, and worldwide guests, increasing the attain of its tourism trade whereas enhancing the general customer expertise. Pictures accessible right here.
Alquézar – A Spanish Gem Embracing Cultural Heritage Within the coronary heart of Aragon, Spain.
Alquézar stands as a testomony to the resilience of a group. The restoration of the village’s medieval structure and the preservation of conventional craftsmanship haven’t solely revived its attract but additionally generated substantial financial development and a development in inhabitants. By leveraging its cultural property, Alquézar has turn into a shining instance of how tourism can contribute to sustainable growth whereas preserving the soul of a village. Pictures accessible right here.
The narratives of Alquézar, Batu Puteh, and Lekunberri present a glimpse into the highly effective function rural growth can play in reversing depopulation developments whereas respiratory new life into rural communities. Their success tales show how preserving cultural heritage, embracing ecotourism, and nurturing entrepreneurship usually are not simply beliefs, however viable pathways for financial development, group empowerment and sustainable tourism.
The UNWTO’s Greatest Tourism Villages initiative serves as instance, inspiring governmentsorganizations and people to undertake comparable methods in rural areas worldwide. By way of strategic partnerships, focused investments, and data sharing, we will unlock the financial, social, and environmental advantages that emerge when communities flourish.
About UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Growth Programme
The World Tourism Group (UNWTO) is the United Nations company chargeable for the promotion of accountable, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. As a part of this mission, the UNWTO launched the Tourism for Rural Growth Programme to make tourism a driver of rural growth and wellbeing. It’s devoted to leveraging the potential of tourism to drive sustainable growth in rural areas worldwide and is pushed by the assumption that tourism could be a catalyst for constructive change in rural areas. By supporting community-based tourism initiatives, capability constructing, and vacation spot administration, the programme empowers native communities to actively take part in and profit from tourism growth.
A key element of UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Growth Programme is the Greatest Tourism Village Initiative. This initiative acknowledges and honours rural villages that stand out as excellent examples of rural tourism locations, with well-preserved and promoted cultural and pure property that commemorate rural values, merchandise, and life-style. The initiative additionally rewards villages that show a transparent dedication to sustainability in all elements – financial, social, and environmental – as they develop tourism as a driver of rural growth and group well-being. By highlighting exemplary village fashions, the initiative goals to encourage and information different communities of their efforts to harness tourism as a software for constructive change. The programme had its first version in 2021, adopted by the second version in 2022, and purposes for the third version in 2023 have now been closed. To this point, the Greatest Tourism Programme encompasses a complete of 76 villages throughout 5 areas and the broader Greatest Tourism Villages community consists of 116 villages.
The Greatest Tourism Villages initiative operates on three ranges: the Greatest Tourism Villages by UNWTO, the Improve Programme, and the Greatest Tourism Villages by UNWTO Community. The Greatest Tourism Villages by UNWTO is given to villages that meet the stringent standards set by the initiative, whereas the Improve Programme is designed to help villages that don’t absolutely meet the label standards, offering them with assist from the UNWTO and companions, to deal with areas recognized as gaps within the analysis course of. The Community offers a platform for sharing experiences, finest practices, and alternatives amongst the villages.
UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Growth Programme, along with the Greatest Tourism Village Initiative, offers a platform for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable tourism development in rural areas. By way of its complete strategy, the programme seeks to empower rural communities, assist their financial growth, and make sure the preservation of their distinctive heritage for generations to come back.
For extra details about the UNWTO’s Greatest Tourism Village initiative, go to https://www.unwto.org/tourism-villages.
About The World Tourism Group (UNWTO)
The World Tourism Group (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialised company fostering tourism as a automobile for equal, inclusive and sustainable growth. Working with its Member States, worldwide organizations and the non-public sector, UNWTO promotes protected and seamless journey for all. UNWTO additionally works to make tourism the inspiration of belief and worldwide cooperation and a central pillar of restoration. As a part of the broader UN system, UNWTO is on the forefront of worldwide efforts to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Growth, together with by means of its means to create respectable jobs, promote equality and protect pure and cultural heritage.