Globally, over 200 rural communities are shaping the future of sustainable travel. Yet, in Africa, only 17 villages in 7 African countries are listed in the United Nations (UN) Tourism Best Tourism Villages initiative.
Best Tourism Villages for 2024
Today, the UN Tourism announced its Best Tourism Villages for 2024. In this fourth edition of the Best Tourism Villages initiative, 55 villages received recognition, which were chosen from over 260 applications from more than 60 UN Tourism Member States. Another 20 villages were chosen to join the Upgrade Program.
Of the 55 villages chosen, only 5 are Africa based, namely; Abu Ghosoun and Gharb Suhayl in Egypt, Grand Baie and Roches Noires in Mauritius, and Ruboni in Uganda.
In the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Program, 20 villages have been selected, of which only 1 is Africa based – Cap Malheureux in Mauritius.
Africa’s Best Tourism Villages
Today’s announcement brings the total number of villages listed to 17 communities in 7 African countries. They are:
ETHIOPIA
Lepis Village – 2023
The Lephis Ecotourism Village has been established as a unified tourism community who produce and supply local tourism products. The idea of its establishment and operation both emanated from the community itself. The visitor program is run by professional tourist guides, the production and selling of handicrafts are managed by local women and the locals organize horse riding services.
ETHIOPIA
Choke Mountains Ecovillage – 2022
This ecotourism village has developed sustainable land management and is promoting solar energy, biogas and waste management. The local farming community lives in harmony by adapting the ideology of Mulu ecovillage which promotes fair trade tourism, sustainable tourism development, sustainable culture and nature conservation.
ETHIOPIA
Wonchi – 2021
Located west of Addis Ababa in the Oromia region, the village of Wonchi is home to 15 different species of major trees and many other alpine-type vegetation, many species of water and land birds and some mammals, most notably the Colobus monkey. Tourism in the Wenchi area is managed by the Wenchi Eco-Tourism Association (WETA) cooperative, which is responsible for tourist activities.
EGYPT
Abu Ghosoun – 2024
The village of Abu Ghosoun inhabitants are mostly originally herders and shepherds. Ababda feel they have a lot to offer the tourism business, which currently almost completely bypasses them. Ideally, they want to start community-managed small scale projects that showcase their environment and culture, along the lines of Qulan.
EGYPT
Gharb Suhayl – 2024
Located on the banks of the Nile near Aswan, the colourful village of Gharb Seheyl gives a feeling of travelling back in time to ancient Nubia, the home to one of Africa’s oldest civilisations. It is home to colourful Nubian houses, a golden beach where it’s perfectly safe to swim, and a souk selling traditional local handicrafts, foods and spices.
EGYPT
Dahshour – 2023
Dashour village presents a traditional lifestyle where the livelihoods are based on crops and livestock farming. Its lush rural landscapes, seasonal marshland and migrating birds, a vast largely untouched desert, enigmatic ancient monuments, ancient canals, and the mighty Nile. A local green initiative aims to maintain climate and environmental sustainability.
EGYPT
Siwa – 2023
Siwa village, with an area of 7800 km2, was declared a national protectorate in 2002 and is highly recognized for its cultural, biological and environmental value. Siwa is committed to promoting and conserving its cultural resources, making it unique and authentic.
KENYA
Olergesailie – 2021
Located in the Southern region of Kenya, Olergesailie village is close to the sedimentary basin in the East African Rift Valley. The village is committed to promote economic sustainability with the implementation of tourism activities.
MAURITIUS
Grand Baie – 2024
Grand Baie village in northern Mauritius has prestine sandy beaches, including La Cuvette, Grand-Baie Public Beach, and Pereybere Public Beach.
The village has restaurants and lively bars. Vendors at the Grand Baie Bazaar sell handicrafts.
MAURITIUS
Roches Noires – 2024
A small village of about 6,500 inhabitants, Roches Noires lies in the north-east of Mauritius, far from large crowds and mass tourism.
The Roches Noires caves, a small nature reserve, is a popular site to view lava tubes.
MAURITIUS
Old Grand Port – 2021
The village of Old Grand Port is known as the cradle of the island’s colonization, as the first settlement of Mauritius by the Dutch took place in this area. The Vieux Grand Port Historic Site is a National Heritage site, which contains the Fort Frederik Henrik ruins.
MAURITIUS
Le Morne – 2021
The village of Le Morne boasts extraordinary natural and cultural resources which are renowned internationally. The majestic mountain of Le Morne Brabant is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
RWANDA
Nkotsi Village – 2021
Nkotsi is a small village located in the south-western side of Musanze, a town in the Northern Province of Rwanda. It is one of the villages part of Volcanoes National Park, internationally recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to 30% of global population of mountain gorillas.
MOROCCO
Moulay Bouzerktoune – 2022
The small fishing village Moulay Bouzerktoune, is a part of the argan biosphere reserve which looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean. The Argan forest plays an important role in terms of research and the socio-economic development of the village.
MOROCCO
Ksar Elkhorbat – 2022
ElKhorbat is an ancient ksar, a fortified village, built in the 19th century.
This village is an emblem of oasis life throughout southern Morocco, representing and preserving the architectural and historical heritage dating back to the 14th century.
MOROCCO
Sidi Kaouki – 2021
Sidi Kaouki is a small Berber village 25km south of Essaouira, home to valleys, forests, sea and caves. Sidi Kaouki is part of the Argan biosphere reserve which covers the vast plain bordered by the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains and flows into the Atlantic. The argan forest plays an important role in terms of research and socio-economic development.
UGANDA
Ruboni – 2024
Ruboni is a rustic tourism village nestled in the foothills of Mount Rwenzori in Uganda. This hidden gem offers visitors a unique and authentic experiences, including accommodation, village tours, and Rwenzori trekking.
Why Africa is underrepresented in the Best Tourism Villages initiative
The African continent certainly has many villages that could qualify for inclusion but participation can only be presented online by UN TOURISM Members States (National Tourism Administrations). To qualify for inclusion, they have to meet three requirements, which are:
- 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). A list of the 160 Member States with administrator contact details can be viewed here.
- Read the Terms and Conditions.
- Read the Guidelines for Application.
- Read the Word version of the Application form.
- Complete the Candidacy Document and upload it in the corresponding section of the Online Application Form.
- 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.
For more information download the Areas of Evaluation PDF file.
