Status of Best Tourism Villages Worldwide (BTVs Worldwide)
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As of 2024, 185 villages across 52 countries
Status of Best Tourism Villages in Korea (BTVs Korea)
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(2021) Gochang-gun_Ungok Village, Shinan-gun_Purple Island
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(2022) Hadong-gun_Pyeongsari
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(2023) South Jeju_Dongbaek Village, Jeju City_Sehwa Village, Hwasun-gun_Mosan Village
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(2024) - (Revision requested-*Incheon_Seonhak-dong)
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(2025) - (Applying villages: Ulleung-gun_Nari Village, Muju-gun-Muju-eup, Yeosu City_Yeosan Village, Goheung-gun_Ssukseum)
INITIATIVES
Recognizes the villages which are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with recognized cultural and natural assets that preserve and promote the rural and community based values, products and lifestyle.
It also recognizes the villages which have a clear commitment to sustainability in all its aspects - economic, social and environmental - in its development of tourism as one of the drivers of rural development and community well-being.
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Make tourism one of the drivers of rural development and community well-being.
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Commit to sustainability in all its aspects -economic, social and environmental-.
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Gain visibility and international recognition as an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination.
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Be part of a global network of rural destinations.
OBJECT
People
● Reduce regional inequalities in income and development.
● Fight rural depopulation.
● Progress gender equality and women’s and youth empowerment.
● Enhance education and skills development.
Prosperity
● Promote rural transformation and strengthen traction capacity.
● Strengthen multi-level-governance, partnerships and the active involvement of communities (public-private-community collaboration).
● Improve connectivity, infrastructure and access to finance and investment.
● Advance innovation and digitalization.
● Innovate in product development and value chain integration.
Planet
● Promote the relationship between sustainable, equitable and resilient food systems and tourism to preserve biodiversity, agrobiodiversity, cultural heritage and local gastronomy.
● Advance the conservation of natural and cultural resources.
● Promote sustainable practices for a more efficient use of resources and a reduction of emissions and waste.
REQUIREMENTS
POPULATION
Low population density, and a maximum of 15,000 inhabitants.
TERRITORY
Be located in a landscape with an important presence of traditional activities such as agriculture, forestry, livestock or fishing.
SOCIETY
Share community values and lifestyle.
HOW TO APPLY?
– Applications should exclusively be presented online by UN Tourism Members States (National Tourism Administrations).
– Prepare a general presentation following the proposed structure in the General Presentation Template and upload it in the corresponding section of the Online Application Form.
– Provide the supporting visual files requested in the Online Application Form and upload the Copyrights Template dully filled in.
AREAS OF EVALUATIONS
Applications will be evaluated by an independent advisory board through a set of indicators covering the following areas:
1. Cultural and Natural Resources
2. Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
3. Economic Sustainability
4. Social Sustainability
5. Environmental Sustainability
6. Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
7. Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
8. Infrastructure and Connectivity
9. Health, Safety and Security
