Best Tourism Villages 2026: What Makes a Village Stand Out?
The UN Tourism programme looks beyond beautiful views to ask how tourism supports village life.
Estimated CEFR reading level: B1. Connected paragraphs, clear event sequencing and a few explained specialist terms support the B1 estimate. This is an editorial estimate, not an official certification.
Five useful words
British English pronunciation (IPA). Audio uses an available English voice on your device.
rural /ˈrʊərəl/
adjectiveConnected with the countryside.
The family runs a rural guesthouse.
resident /ˈrezɪdənt/
nounA person who lives in a place.
Residents use the village square every day.
eligible /ˈelɪdʒəbəl/
adjectiveMeeting the conditions for taking part.
Only eligible villages can apply.
livelihood /ˈlaɪvlihʊd/
nounThe work or resources that support someone's life.
Fishing provides a livelihood for some families.
infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃə/
nounBasic systems such as roads and water supplies.
Visitors and residents both need reliable infrastructure.
The story
A beautiful village can attract visitors. But what makes tourism good for the people who live there? UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages programme asks this wider question.
For the 2026 edition, countries could send applications until 9 June. Eligible villages have no more than 15,000 residents and strong links with activities such as farming or fishing. Experts assess nine areas, including culture, the environment, local livelihoods and infrastructure.
The programme aims to help tourism support rural communities. A busy street alone does not show whether residents benefit. Local food, traditional skills and care for nature also matter.
The official timetable checked on 21 October lists the announcement period as the final quarter of 2026, with its date still to be confirmed. This reading explains the programme; it does not name new winners. For travellers, it offers a useful question: how does a visit connect with everyday village life?
Three questions
Try answering before you open the answer. You can use your own words.
- What does the programme consider besides scenery?
Show answer
It considers how tourism supports culture, nature, livelihoods and village life.
- What is the population limit for eligible villages?
Show answer
They can have no more than 15,000 residents.
- Does this article announce the 2026 winners?
Show answer
No. It explains the programme and the official timetable checked on 21 October.
Let's talk about it
A few ideas to chat about - pick any that interest you.
- Would you enjoy staying in a small village?
- What local food would you like visitors to try?
- Have you visited a place where tourism supports traditional skills?
- What makes a village feel welcoming to you?
- How might everyday life change when a quiet place becomes popular?
Practise a useful pattern
Use besides followed by a noun to introduce another consideration. Write one sentence about what you value when travelling.
Example: Besides beautiful scenery, I look for interesting local food.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a list of the 2026 winning villages?
No. It explains the selection criteria and the official timetable checked on 21 October 2026.
What size can an eligible village be?
The 2026 requirements set a maximum of 15,000 inhabitants, alongside other rural and community criteria.
Sources and editorial notes
Original learning article by Poly-Puff, written from the factual sources below. Sources checked on 21 October 2026. The artwork and learning activities were created for this article.
The application page retains an older open-call heading, but its deadline was 9 June. The checked timetable says Q4, date to be determined. No winner announcement is inferred. Comments about what travellers can ask are editorial suggestions.
