“Rural tourism is a good antidote against depopulation, because it is capable of generating activity throughout the year and having an impact on other economic sectors such as food and crafts or handicrafts, promoting local consumption and giving prestige to local products. Spain celebrates this initiative of the UNWTO that will contribute to putting our rural destinations on the map ”, has valued the Secretary of State for Tourism, Fernando Valdés, who has accompanied the mayors in the delivery ceremony held at the Marriot Auditorium hotel that hosts the 24 UNWTO General Assembly.
The Secretary General of the UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, has been in charge of delivering the seal to the mayors of Morella, Rhamsés Ripollés, and Lekunberri, Gorka Azpiroz, among 42 other selected towns. The event was also attended by the councilor of Cantavieja, Ricardo Altabás.
For the mayor of Morella, "this recognition is an incentive to continue working for the future of the rural world, which will thus be able to raise its voice in international tourism."
Gorka Azpiroz has celebrated the "recognition that this distinction represents the work done in recent years by the Lekunberri city council and that it will reinforce Navarra's position in international tourism".
For the Cantavieja councilor, just being part of this new network "is a great success because it gives this humble town of Teruel access to the globalized world of tourism."
A stamp and an assistance program
The Best Tourism Villages seal, valid for three years and with the possibility of renewal, recognizes towns that are notable examples of rural tourism destinations. The initiative aims to maximize the sector's contribution to reducing regional inequalities and fighting the depopulation of rural areas. Likewise, it seeks to promote the role of tourism in the appreciation and preservation of rural towns and their landscapes, knowledge systems, biological and cultural diversity, as well as local values and activities, without forgetting gastronomy.
Those towns that do not fully meet the criteria to obtain the seal, but also stand out as examples, can become part of the network by joining the Upgrade program, as is the case of Cantavieja. As members of the program, these villages will receive assistance from UNWTO and partner entities to further improve.
Being part of the network allows you to participate in a space for the exchange of experiences and good practices, while giving access to political recommendations and knowledge.
. (tagsToTranslate) rural tourism (t) UNWTO (t) OMT (t) towns (t) Morella (t) Lekunberri (t) Cantavieja
