Iran’s Kandovan among UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages 2023
Kandovan, a charming village located in East Azarbaijan Province, Iran, has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing its place on the significant list of the world’s Best Tourism Villages recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The Deputy Tourism Minister of the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Ali-Asghar Shalbafian announced this remarkable achievement, marking Kandovan as the first Iranian village to be honored among the world’s top tourism destinations.
The villages were named during the UNWTO General Assembly, taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, according to the international body.
Kandovan faced serious competition from over 200 villages worldwide, yet it emerged victorious, securing its position among the globe’s most enchanting tourism destinations. This recognition is part of the UNWTO’s ongoing initiative to boost tourism as a driver for rural development and the well-being of local communities.
According to Shalbafian, eight villages in Iran, including Kandovan, Bisheh in Lorestan, Meymand in Kerman, Soheili in Qeshm, Palangan in Kurdestan, Qassemabad in Gilan, Kandolus in Mazandaran, and Abyaneh in Isfahan were also introduced to the World Tourism Organization for participation in this competition, however, failed to receive global recognition. The World
Tourism Organization has established nine criteria for selecting global villages, which include possessing cultural resources, their promotion and preservation, economic sustainability, environmental and social considerations, tourism potential, development and value chain integration, governance and prioritization of tourism, as well as health, safety, and security matters, adding that Kandovan succeeded in obtaining an acceptable score in these criteria.
To earn its place on this exclusive list, Kandovan had to meet rigorous criteria set by the UNWTO, which included cultural resource preservation, economic sustainability, environmental and social responsibility, and a commitment to safety and security. Kandovan excelled in each of these areas, securing its well-deserved spot alongside 76 other exceptional villages from 40 countries.