The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) included Anogeia in the 55 Best Villages in the World for 2024, awarding it as an Excellent Destination in the field of Rural Tourism, while at the same time giving it credit for everything that the place and the Municipal Authority have committed to regarding innovation and sustainability, in the broad field of society, economy and environment.
As stated by the mayor of Anogeia and president of the Mountainous Areas Committee of Greece, Socrates Kefalogiannis, “The award concerns a global initiative through which the Villages are highlighted where tourism does not become a brake on their cultures, their traditions, while investing in sustainable development by providing opportunities and protecting biodiversity. Through this specific recognition that accompanies the award, the World Tourism Organization makes known to the international tourism market the Rural Communities, including Anogeia, which are shaping and developing the future of sustainable travel.
From Caviahue-Copahue in Argentina to Tra Que Vegetable Village in Vietnam, 55 are the Best Tourist Villages that have proven that they protect their identity, based on the characteristics and criteria as set by the UN World Tourism Organization, with sustainable development, connecting local communities with gentle forms of tourism and promoting environmental protection.
More than 260 nominations from over 60 UN member states were examined by experts, whose assessment highlighted Anogeia of Crete, among the 55 villages, as a tourist destination that meets the requirements for the future of tourism in small communities. “The ‘Best Tourism Villages’ initiative, which is part of the United Nations Tourism Development Programme for Rural Development, not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages, such as Anogeia, but also highlights the power of tourism and how it can influence the healthy development of areas such as small villages,” noted the mayor of Anogeia, Socrates Kefalogiannis.
The villages were assessed in nine key areas, namely: “Cultural and natural resources / promotion and preservation of cultural resources / economic viability / social viability / environmental sustainability / tourism development and value chain integration / tourism governance and prioritization / infrastructure and connectivity / health and safety”. The UN Secretary-General for Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili, referred to tourism as an essential tool for inclusion, empowering, as he said, rural communities to protect and appreciate their rich cultural heritage, while leading to sustainable development.
Anogeia now belongs to the family of 254 villages that are part of the largest community of rural destinations in the world. The “Best Tourism Villages” initiative also highlights the fact of the development of small local villages and communities, according to everything they can promote and related to economic development, local traditions and the improvement of the quality of life of their residents. The mayor of Anogeia also argued that: “Anogeia was awarded because, without hurting their history, the community of their people and always looking to future generations, they embraced tourism as one of the ways that benefit community empowerment and prosperity, proving that sustainable practices can lead to a better future for all, especially in rural areas, where landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and gastronomic traditions have not been discounted.” The entire UN effort through both the “Best Tourism Villages” program and the Network maintains another goal, which has to do with combating desertification. With the award and recognition of Anogeia, from now on through the Network, there is the opportunity to participate in a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, lessons learned and opportunities. Among the members of the Network there is an open channel of communication with experts and partners from the public and private sectors, who contribute to the promotion of tourism as a lever for rural development.
The call for submission of evaluation files, for the fifth edition of the Network, will take place in early 2025, providing a new opportunity for rural destinations to share their inspiring initiatives and gain global recognition as champions of rural development. The mayor of Anogeia, Socrates Kefalogiannis, thanks the municipal executives and the team that worked systematically to draft a solid candidacy file and support it.
Source: protothema.gr
