KATHMANDU: The UN Tourism has opened applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2026 initiative, inviting countries to nominate rural destinations that demonstrate excellence in sustainable tourism development.

According to UN Tourism, member states can submit up to eight candidate villages through their respective national tourism administrations. The application deadline is June 9, 2026, while the selected villages will be announced in the third quarter of the year during a UN Tourism event.

Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative aims to highlight rural destinations that preserve cultural heritage, protect natural landscapes and promote community-based tourism. The programme has received more than 1,000 applications from 100 countries since its inception.

The initiative currently includes 319 rural destinations worldwide, with over 230 villages recognised as Best Tourism Villages and 83 participating in the Upgrade Programme, representing 65 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, said tourism has proven to be a transformative force for rural communities by helping preserve traditions, support small businesses and protect natural environments. “Tourism is a proven game changer for rural communities. And with our Best Tourism Villages we are showcasing the very best examples, where it’s keeping traditions alive, supporting small businesses or preserving nature. Now we want to expand our network and give tourists even more chances to enjoy authentic experiences that make a real difference when they travel," she said.

Applications will be evaluated by an independent advisory board of global experts based on criteria including sustainability, governance, cultural and natural heritage, infrastructure and community wellbeing.

The initiative forms part of the Tourism for Rural Development Programme of UN Tourism, which seeks to use tourism as a catalyst for rural prosperity, resilience and sustainable development.

The initiative is structured around three pillars. The first is formal recognition as a Best Tourism Village, awarded to destinations demonstrating excellence in heritage preservation, community values and sustainability. The second is the Upgrade Programme, which provides tailored technical guidance to villages that show promise but do not yet meet all recognition criteria. The third is the Best Tourism Villages Network itself, which serves as a collaborative platform for knowledge-sharing, peer learning and capacity-building across regions.