Cover From Japan’s Shodoshima island to Indonesia’s Pemuteran, 12 Asian communities have been named among UN’s Best Tourism Villages 2025—celebrating rural destinations that balance preservation with progress. (Photo: John S Lander/LightRocket/Getty Images)
From Japan’s Shodoshima island to Indonesia’s Pemuteran, 12 Asian communities have been named among UN’s Best Tourism Villages 2025—celebrating rural destinations that balance preservation with progress. (Photo: John S Lander/LightRocket/Getty Images)
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UN names 52 Best Tourism Villages 2025, including 12 standout rural destinations across Asia and the Pacific
The United Nations Tourism body has named the Best Tourism Villages 2025, recognising 52 rural destinations from 29 countries that demonstrate tourism’s potential to support sustainable development. Chosen from more than 270 applications across 65 member states, these villages were assessed across nine criteria, from cultural and natural resource management to environmental and social sustainability. The announcement was made in Huzhou City, China, a move that underscores the growing global attention on rural tourism as a driver of community development and cultural preservation.
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Promising rural destinations in Asia
This year’s Best Tourism Villages 2025 includes 12 from Asia and the Pacific, spanning China, Japan, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye and Vietnam. Among them are Digang, Dongluo, Huanggang and Dawa in China; Koyasan, Shodoshima, Asuka and Tonosho in Japan; Muju Village and Yangsuri in Korea; Pemuteran in Indonesia; Quynh Son and Lo Lo Chai in Vietnam; Kale Ucagız, Barbaros and Anıtlı in Türkiye. Each has been recognised for its efforts to preserve local traditions while developing tourism as a means of economic inclusion.
A programme that promotes growth and sustainable tourism practices
Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative highlights destinations that balance growth with stewardship of cultural and natural heritage. Villages undergo assessment by an independent advisory board based on criteria including governance, sustainability, safety and connectivity. In addition to the main selection, 20 other villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, which helps promising destinations enhance their tourism practices to meet the standards required for future recognition.
The Best Tourism Villages 2025 form part of the broader UN Tourism Network, which now includes 319 villages worldwide. The network functions as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among rural destinations, public agencies and private stakeholders. According to UN Tourism, this initiative seeks to strengthen rural economies, reduce inequality and ensure that tourism growth benefits local communities directly.
Applications for the next edition of Best Tourism Villages open in early 2026.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
