UNWTO Names Dahshur, Siwa as Best Tourism Villages in 2023

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has named Dahshur in Giza Governorate and Siwa in Matrouh Governorate as the Best Tourism Villages for the year 2023 during the 25th Annual General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

 This recognition was given to celebrate their timeless beauty and their commitment to sustainable tourism practices. It also acknowledges their contribution to Egypt's rich cultural heritage.

The UNWTO announced its list of Best Tourism Villages 2023 during the 25th General Assembly meeting. This recognition is awarded to villages that promote rural areas and preserve landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.

This year, 54 villages from all over the world were selected from the almost 260 applications. Additionally, 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme. All 74 villages are now part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network.

According to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, "Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions. This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being."

The Best Tourism Villages Initiative was launched by UNWTO in 2021 as part of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. This Programme aims to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism, and encourage sustainable practices.

The villages are evaluated based on nine key areas: Cultural and Natural Resources; Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources; Economic Sustainability; Social Sustainability; Environmental Sustainability; Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration; Governance and Prioritization of Tourism; Infrastructure and Connectivity; and Health, Safety, and Security.

The initiative comprises three pillars. The first is the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages which recognizes outstanding rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

The second pillar is the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme, which supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria by helping in areas identified as gaps during evaluation.

The third pillar is the Best Tourism Villages Network, a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learning, and opportunities among its members. It is open to contributions from experts and public and private sector partners who promote tourism as a driver for rural development.

Ghada Shalaby, Vice Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, said, "This prestigious award is expected to elevate the international profiles of both villages, drawing more travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences and responsible travel practices." She added that Egypt now has two villages on the program's upgrade list: Fuwa in the Nile Delta, listed in 2021, and Saint Catherine in South Sinai in 2023.

Director General of Strategy at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Adel El-Guindy, received the awards and said that the ministry's efforts to develop Dahshur rural tourist destination began in 2013 in cooperation with the UNWTO. Together, they rehabilitated the tourism infrastructure of Dahshur and implemented a training program for 3,400 members of the local community.

The program included several workshops on different topics, such as the importance of tourism to the national economy; simplified English language for Dahshur locals to facilitate dealing with visitors; managing solid waste, tourism activities, and visitor services; micro, small, and medium tourism projects; and the local rural tourism extension program.

El-Guindy also said that the Ministry's work team assisted the International Labour Organization (ILO) in establishing five local NCOs specialized in tourism and a forum for local economic development to communicate with governmental agencies.