Why it matters:
Joining this network highlights Iran’s efforts to promote sustainable rural tourism, preserve cultural heritage, and boost local economies to introduce the world to more of its tourist attractions and cultural heritage.
The big picture:
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sets specific criteria for villages seeking membership, including tourism attractions, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and government support. Iran has been participating in this competition for five years, with previous successes like Kandovan and Esfand villages.
What he's saying:
Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpei, the Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage, explained that eight villages from various provinces had submitted dossiers for evaluation based on UNWTO criteria, including environmental sustainability, community involvement, tourism infrastructure, and governance priorities.
He noted that three of these villages met the standards and were officially added to the Global Village Network during a UNWTO meeting held in Hangzhou, China.
Key points:
- Soheili village was recognized for mangrove forest conservation, environmental sustainability, and unique cultural festivals like the camel washing event.
- Kandelous village stood out for its innovative museum and literary tourism initiatives.
- Shafiabad Village is renowned for its historic castle and caravanserai, as well as its location at the gateway to the Lut Desert’s famed Kaluts.
- The evaluation also considered women and youth participation in tourism activities and government investment in infrastructure like roads, water, electricity, and healthcare.
- The main challenges remain infrastructure development and internet bandwidth in rural areas, which authorities have been working to improve over the past year.
Go deeper:
Iranian village Kareyak, 2,000-year-old stair architecture
M.Majdi - seyed mohammad kazemi
