London, UK – Within the tranquil corners of our world, the place timeless traditions intertwine with pristine landscapes, a strong revival is underway. Villages, typically forgotten within the wake of urbanisation, are defying the percentages of depopulation by respiratory new life into their communities by means of the facility of tourism. By way of the lens of three extraordinary examples — Batu Puteh, Alquézar and Lekunberri — we uncover the profound influence 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 Neighborhood-Based mostly Ecotourism
Deep inside the rainforests of Sarawak, Malaysia, lies the village of Batu Puteh—a testomony to the facility 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 progress whereas preserving its fragile ecosystem. Guests actively take part in tree planting and forest restoration initiatives, making ecotourism a transformative and academic expertise. Pictures obtainable 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 progress and group empowerment has offered employment alternatives for the native inhabitants and invigorated the encircling 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 obtainable 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 progress and a progress in inhabitants. By leveraging its cultural property, Alquézar has change into a shining instance of how tourism can contribute to sustainable growth whereas preserving the soul of a village. Pictures obtainable right here.
The narratives of Alquézar, Batu Puteh, and Lekunberri present a glimpse into the highly effective position rural growth can play in reversing depopulation developments whereas respiratory new life into rural communities. Their success tales exhibit how preserving cultural heritage, embracing ecotourism, and nurturing entrepreneurship are usually not simply beliefs, however viable pathways for financial progress, 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 idea that tourism is usually 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 way of life. The initiative additionally rewards villages that exhibit a transparent dedication to sustainability in all points – 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 instrument for constructive change. The programme had its first version in 2021, adopted by the second version in 2022, and functions 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 totally meet the label standards, offering them with help 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 progress in rural areas. By way of its complete strategy, the programme seeks to empower rural communities, help their financial growth, and make sure the preservation of their distinctive heritage for generations to return.
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 muse 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 world efforts to attain the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Growth, together with by means of its potential to create first rate jobs, promote equality and protect pure and cultural heritage.
