What to know about Unesco and other international networks that guide savvy travellers

Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) spans seven fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Gastronomy, Design, Literature, Music, Media Arts and Film. The idea? To promote cities where creativity fuels sustainable urban development. While Unesco World Heritage Sites protect the tangible (think temples, ruins, landmarks), the UCCN celebrates the intangible: the making of things, the telling of stories, the flavours that define a people.

Cities like Kyoto (Crafts), Bucheon (Literature) and Kuching (Gastronomy) aren’t just tagged for prestige. Rather, they join a peer network that encourages cultural exchange, artisan development and local economic investment. For travellers, the designation is a soft guarantee: this is a place where art isn’t just exhibited but also woven into daily life. 

See more: Handi-heritage: 10 craft cities and artisanal hubs in Asia worth visiting

Founded in 1964, the World Crafts Council (WCC) has long served as a global steward of handmade heritage. This non-profit, non-governmental organisation advocates for artisans around the world by promoting traditional craft as both a cultural touchstone and an engine of sustainable development. Under its banner, the World Craft Cities Network was launched to formally recognise towns where craftsmanship is not just preserved but vibrantly alive.

To be named a World Craft City, a town must demonstrate a deep ecosystem of artisanship. Often, citizens have to show intergenerational skills, communal studios, local materials and formal mentorship pathways. These designations aren’t just ceremonial. They help attract international visitors, spur government support and elevate once-local traditions onto the world stage.

While the list skews heavily toward Asia—India, Iran, China, and Thailand all feature prominently—it’s the variety that’s most compelling. There’s Isfahan for metalwork, Jaipur for blue pottery and Yogyakarta for batik.

Launched by the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA), the ASEAN City of Culture designation is awarded every two years to a city in Southeast Asia that embodies the region’s rich cultural diversity. Unlike Unesco, which chooses based on a more global lens, this program is deeply rooted in Southeast Asian identity and encourages cross-border festivals, residencies and heritage showcases. Notable past titleholders include Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei and Yogyakarta in Indonesia, both of which have used the title to reinforce heritage conservation and youth-focused cultural events.

Born in Italy but now a worldwide badge of mindful living, Cittaslow is an international network that champions small cities committed to slowing down. The point? To emphasise quality of life, sustainability and local heritage.

A Cittaslow destination is often one of charming contradictions: a high-tech town with ancient bread ovens, or a medieval village with cutting-edge eco-policy. Whether it’s Changpyeong in South Korea or Yuhu in China, what ties these towns together is an allegiance to local production, traditional knowledge and the unhurried pace of authentic travel. 

Unesco’s Global Geoparks may seem the domain of geology buffs, but these certified sites are just as much about cultural storytelling as they are about tectonic shifts. Covering entire landscapes shaped by time and tectonics, these parks protect not only fossils and rock strata, but also the human narratives etched into them—from ancient agricultural practices to animist beliefs tied to the land. In Asia, Langkawi in Malaysia and Jeju Island in South Korea both exemplify this fusion. Visitors can hike volcanic ridges by day and witness shamanic rituals or traditional salt-harvesting by dusk—where natural and cultural heritage exist side by side.

Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative by UN Tourism honours rural destinations that champion sustainability, cultural heritage, and community-led tourism. As of 2024, over 180 villages across nearly 60 countries have earned the title, with an additional 70 joining the Upgrade Programme for future development.

Villages are selected based on nine criteria, including cultural preservation, environmental sustainability and local economic resilience. This isn’t just a badge of honour; recognised villages gain access to global networks, expert mentorship and funding opportunities.

Recent honorees like Dhudmaras, India, have used the spotlight to improve infrastructure while preserving tradition, making the program a catalyst for real-world change. For travellers, this list offers a fresh lens into lesser-known but richly storied places worth visiting.

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