The village of Azheke is located at the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces is a Unesco World Heritage Site in China. — AFP
Good news for the planet, and for travellers, who might be wondering how to balance their wanderlust with environmental concerns – there are still some lesser-known tourist spots in countries such as Spain, where overtourism is a major concern.
Ainsa and Mura are two villages in the country selected by UN Tourism as places to visit in 2025 (“best tourism villages”) for their ability to maintain their authentic character and escape the effects of mass tourism.
In Egypt, even though the country sees heavy tourist flows, travellers can still find authentic experiences on a road trip through Abu Ghosoun and Gharb Suhail (or Suhayl/Soheil).
For the past four years, the international organisation has been singling out rural communities around the world in the hope of encouraging travellers to spread out more widely, by directing people to less popular destinations. And this can be a win-win situation for the villages involved.
“By leveraging their unique assets, these communities can foster economic growth, promote local traditions, and enhance the quality of life for their residents. We celebrate the villages that have embraced tourism as a pathway to empowerment and community well-being, demonstrating that sustainable practices can lead to a brighter future for all,” says UN Tourism secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.
To date, 254 villages are part of this global network of rural destinations, seeking to convince travellers to look beyond the most popular spots. This latest edition has a strong Chinese presence, with no fewer than seven destinations in the country. These include Azheke, located in the heart of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, already a Unesco World Heritage Site, and not to mention the village of Shibadong in Hunan province.
Latin America is another direction to take, with villages highlighted in Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, Guatemala, Argentina, Peru and Chile. – AFP Relaxnews
