English
Empowering Rural Communities: The Impact of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Initiative
The keynote will present the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative, focusing on the practical approaches adopted by rural villages to empower communities, preserve heritage, and build sustainable economies. It will showcase how these villages integrate tourism with local traditions and cultural preservation, while also promoting environmental sustainability and social well-being. Case studies will highlight successful examples of villages leveraging tourism to create inclusive development, diversify local economies, and protect resources. The recognition provided by the initiative serves as an advocacy tool, offering good practices and opportunities for other villages to learn from these best examples, inspiring a broader movement towards sustainable rural tourism. Additionally, the keynote will explore how the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Network functions as a community of practice, enabling villages to share knowledge, exchange solutions, and learn from one another. This network facilitates continuous learning and capacity building, strengthening the sustainability of participating villages. By examining these approaches, the session will illustrate how rural communities are using tourism as a catalyst for positive change, preserving heritage, and creating resilient, sustainable futures across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.