CARTAGENA, 16th November, 2024 (WAM) -- The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has awarded seven Chinese villages the title of "Best Tourism Villages" for 2024, bringing the total number of Chinese villages recognised under this prestigious category to 15 – The highest globally.
The announcement was made during the 122nd Executive Council meeting of the UNWTO held in Cartagena, Colombia.
The newly recognised villages are Azheke in Yunnan, Guanyang in Fujian, Shibadong in Hunan, Taoping in Sichuan, Xiaogang in Anhui, Shitou in Zhejiang, and Yandunjiao in Shandong, according to People’s Daily Online.
China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported that rural areas across the country welcomed approximately 2.248 billion tourists during the first three quarters of this year, marking a 15.5 percent year-on-year growth. These regions generated 1.32 trillion yuan (about AED 670 billion) in revenue, up 9.8 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
The "Best Tourism Villages" initiative, launched by the UNWTO in 2021, aims to promote the role of tourism in preserving rural areas, safeguarding cultural heritage, and fostering environmental diversity and local livelihoods.