THE TWO BEST RURAL DESTINATIONS OF WORLD TOURISM ARE IN TURKEY
The United Nations World Tourism Organization, which launched the “Best Tourism Villages Initiative” in 2021 with the aim of making tourism a positive force for rural development, transformation and community welfare, awarded two rural tourism destinations from Turkey.
Nevşehir’s Mustafapaşa village and Sakarya’s Taraklı districts received awards at the 24th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization held in Madrid, the capital of Spain.
Mustafapaşa and Taraklı managed to be among the destinations that were awarded among 175 applications from 75 countries.
In the competition, a total of 44 rural tourism destinations from 32 countries were found eligible to carry this title as a result of their distinctive natural and cultural characteristics, preserved traditional lifestyle, and capacities for sustainable and inclusive rural economic activities.
The delegation chaired by Özgül Özkan Yavuz, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, represented Turkey at the 24th UNWTO General Assembly.
Taraklı District Governor Halis Haciismailoğlu and Ürgüp District Governor Mehmet Maraşlı were included in the delegation of Deputy Minister Yavuz.
Candidacy Process
Nevşehir Mustafapaşa and Sakarya Taraklı destinations, which were among the applications submitted for 2021 as a result of the evaluations of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, were entitled to receive the aforementioned award as a result of the meticulous work of an independent and international evaluation board.
Member states applied with a maximum of 3 developing destinations with a population of up to 15 thousand, where traditional activities such as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries are carried out, maintaining the traditional lifestyle and values, and having a tourism vision in this direction.
“DÜNYA TURİZMİNİN EN İYİ İKİ KIRSAL DESTİNASYONU TÜRKİYE’DE”: https://basin.ktb.gov.tr/TR-298335/dunya-turizminin-en-iyi-iki-kirsal-destinasyonu-turkiye-.html T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı, 02.12.2021
