Eight Iranian villages vying for UN-backed global tourism recognition
Eight Iranian villages are competing for inclusion in the UN Tourism organization's list of the world's Best Tourism Villages, as the country seeks to build on last year's record performance, a senior tourism official said.
Iran secured places for three villages on the list in 2025, one of its strongest showings to date, placing it among the countries with the highest number of internationally recognized tourism villages, according to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.
Mustafa Fatemi, director general for domestic tourism development, said the success of this year's nominations would depend not only on cultural and tourism assets but also on infrastructure, sustainability and international conditions.
"The evaluation criteria of UN Tourism remain unchanged," Fatemi told ILNA. "However, security is an important indicator in assessing tourism destinations. As tensions decline and wartime conditions come to an end, Iran's standing on this indicator can improve."
The official said other challenges, including sanctions that affect international banking services and access to global online platforms, would continue to weigh on some assessment criteria until they are resolved.
Fatemi cautioned against expecting a repeat of last year's outcome, describing the simultaneous recognition of three Iranian villages as an exceptional achievement.
"Only a limited number of villages can meet all of UN Tourism's criteria, and others will need to gradually reach the required standards," he said.
The eight nominated villages are still addressing shortcomings identified during the application process, with final verification by UN Tourism expected in September.
Fatemi said sustainability remained the most important criterion in the evaluation process, encompassing economic, social and environmental performance. Villages must also demonstrate distinctive local identity and innovation to stand out from international competitors.
Tourism infrastructure, including accommodation, visitor facilities and local tourism value chains, also plays a key role in the assessment, he said, citing previously recognized Iranian villages that benefited from well-developed hospitality services.
Recognition by UN Tourism can boost the international profile of rural destinations, attracting visitors and investment while supporting local economic development and cultural preservation, tourism officials say.