Huzhou, China – October 2025:
- UN Tourism announced the winners of the “Best Tourism Villages 2025” awards, recognizing 52 rural destinations across the world for their excellence in innovation, sustainability, and cultural preservation . The awards, revealed in Huzhou City, China , mark the fifth edition of the annual initiative. Notably, no Indian village made it to this year’s list.
About the Awards
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Launched in 2021 under the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme , the initiative identifies villages that demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainable rural tourism. The evaluation is based on nine key parameters , including environmental stewardship, cultural conservation, social and economic sustainability, infrastructure, and governance.
- The 2025 selection was made from over 270 applications submitted by 65 member states . Alongside the 52 recognized villages, 20 others were added to the “Upgrade Programme” , which provides mentorship to help them meet recognition standards in the future. The Best Tourism Villages Network now includes 319 destinations globally , making it the world’s largest platform for rural tourism excellence.
Highlights from the 2025 Winners
- This year’s winners include Bled (Slovenia) , Pemuteran (Indonesia) , Muju Village (Republic of Korea) , Koyasan (Japan) , and Ezcaray (Spain) . These destinations were chosen for successfully integrating heritage, nature, and community-led tourism . New members of the Upgrade Programme include Dawa Village (China) , Quintandona (Portugal) , and Brihuega (Spain) .
India’s Absence in 2025
- Despite its vast cultural and rural diversity, India had no entries in the 2025 list. Experts note that improving documentation, sustainability practices, and community participation could strengthen India’s future prospects. Previously, Pochampalli (Telangana) and Dhordo (Gujarat) were recognized under the programme in 2021 and 2023 , respectively.
Key Facts for Exams
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Organiser: UN Tourism
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Edition: 5th (2025)
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Venue: Huzhou City, China
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Recognised Villages: 52
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Upgrade Programme Villages: 20
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Total Network Members: 319
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Indian Entries: None in 2025
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Previous Indian Winners: Pochampalli (2021), Dhordo (2023)
Significance
The “Best Tourism Villages” initiative continues to promote sustainable rural tourism by showcasing models of cultural preservation, community empowerment, and environmental balance. For India, it serves as a reminder of the need to strengthen local governance and sustainability standards to achieve global recognition in future editions.
Month: Current Affairs - October 30, 2025
Category: International Affairs and Tourism Development