Eight Colombian Towns Nominated for World’s Best Tourism Villages of 2023 Award

Eight rural towns in Colombia have been nominated to compete for the Best Tourism Villages of 2023 recognition, an award given out each year by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to recognize rural destinations of cultural and natural significance.

Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT) was tasked with making the nominations and presented the international organization with the following towns:

• Jericó in Antioquia
• Iza in Boyacá
• Zapatoca in Santander
• Villavieja in Huila
• Providencia in the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina
• Tibasosa in Boyacá
• Guadalupe in Santander
• Filandia in Quindío

These towns all have fewer than 15,000 inhabitants and engage in traditional activities like agriculture, forestry, or livestock in addition to promoting tourism as a way to share their community’s values and way of life.

Last year, Choachí was named among 32 global destinations to receive a Best Tourism Villages 2022 selection, and these eight will now be vying to join the Cundinamarca town in the winner’s circle.

The Best Tourism Villages 2023 winners will be announced in October at the 25th UNWTO General Assembly.

All UN member states are eligible to nominate towns from their country, and according to the UNWTO, the Best Tourism Village award is designed to acknowledge rural destinations across the world that drive development while preserving and promoting local values and products, among other factors including sustainability, infrastructure, connectivity, health, safety, and security.

The technical committee has said it will give priority to those destinations that had not benefited from other UNWTO programs.

A church in the central plaza of Filandia, a picturesque small town in the heart of Quindio’s coffee axis. (Credit: Hdhdhdyboot)

Even if the nominated Colombian municipalities don’t win the award, they could be considered for the Upgrade program. This program would provide technical assistance, training, and support to improve rural tourism practices and sustainability.

Two Colombian destinations in Santander — Barichara and San Vicente de Chucurí — have previously been accepted into the Upgrade program.

Politicians and national leaders from across the political spectrum continue to promote tourism as a key to growing Colombia’s economy, and rural communities like these play an active role in developing the country’s sector by providing opportunities for visitors to experience authentic Colombian culture and heritage.

Lead photo: Jericó, Antioquia. (Credit: Alcaldía de Jericó)