5 Hidden Gems The UN Recommends For Your Next Trip

In the 2024 edition of "Best Tourism Villages" published by UN Tourism, features 55 small, rural escapes located in different parts of the globe. 

5 Hidden Gems The UN Recommends For Your Next Trip

Read More: World's Longest Flight In 2026 Will Offer Passengers Two Sunrises

However, as the year that has been defined mostly by travel bans and retaliation for over tourism active measures in Barcelona, Oaxaca, Venice and other popular cities ends, the interest in eccentric holidays comes to the fore.

For example, have you heard about Graciosa Island in the Azores, an isolated fishing community called Roches Noires located in the northeastern region of Mauritius or mountainous Wukirsari which is a whopping 270 miles east of Jakarta in Indonesia? They are among the 55 small, rural escapes around the world that earned a spot in the 2024 edition of UN Tourism’s "Best Tourism Villages." In the preview of the list of selected places published by Bloomberg News, the full list of winning destinations was made public on November 14 during the organization’s Executive Council meeting in Cartagena, Columbia.

The campaign was accessed in 2021, and the primary purpose is to encourage travelers to take interest in some unexploited destinations and also ensure that tourism is properly managed. To put it plainly, those associated within these tourism centers are spending the incomes derived from the inflow of tourists in ways that enhance their culture, maintain ecological balance and improve the well-being of the residents. These villages also have a population of less than 15000 people and still engage in primary sectors like agriculture and fishing.

"The Best Tourism Villages initiative not only recognizes the remarkable achievements of these villages but also highlights the transformative power of tourism," says UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

Among this year's most worthy voyages are rural villages of Panama and Guatemala which have been included in the list for the first time. For instance, Portobelo located at Panama’s former Northern port is less frequented by tourists even with its beautiful beaches and rich colonial history. But it also stood out because tourism there helps fund cultural heritage preservation activities for youth through the Bahía de Portobelo Foundation, as well as coral reef restoration projects.

This will tempt a desire to visit the place among other tourists and business travelers as well. For example, before the victory in 2022, visitors to the Spanish region of Aragon would go to the village of Alquezar for its mountain trekking, canyoneering and hiking, mostly Australians and Spanish. But according to Alquezar Mayor Ana Blasco Castillo, such demographic has changed within the country since the village’s win in 2022 that tourists from countries such as Japan and China have found a vacation in Alquezar. Sandra Carvao, who helps develop rural tourism as the director of UN Tourism, believes that this is one of the great advantages of the Best Tourism Villages initiative, besides the changing flows of tourists to the less visited destinations. "It's really to make sure that the sector can benefit places which wouldn't necessarily be top of your mind," she says.

This year’s winners were chosen from 260 candidates that were put forward from more than 60 member countries. Five are pointed out which are quite easy to visit.

1) Switzerland, Splugen

Being situated in the Swiss Alps at the Italian border, Splugen is a little less a resort for skiers, if compared to the more popular St. Moritz which is a one and half hour scenic drive to the east. But this is the catch: It is less crowded and a good place to spend winter holidays whereby in spring and summer, it turns out to be a hidden gem as well, with lakes and Beverin Regional Nature Park. In 2020, Splugen became a stakeholder of the protected development having over ten other communities already involved in the conservation efforts. Next year Speluca Brewery Hotel an architectural marvel is anticipated to be launched; its design reinvents unused areas located at the outskirts of the village including dilapidated barn structure and a 1960s on the village several new buildings designed to go with the villages timber traditional beauty. Splügen’s inhabitants expect more tourist influx even at different seasons, most especially, after the concurrence to the construction of the future Rheinwald Resort AG, which will have provision of rooms and a campground for extended periods.

2) San Rafael de la Laguna, Ecuador

San Rafael de la Laguna is a characteristic place in the country that is famous in its own right because of the diverse eco-cultural tourism resources available–nestled in the Andes ranges, less than two hours drive from Quito, to the north. It is situated near Imbakucha, the lake of the deities also referred to as Lago San Pablo, a short distance away. You can go on boat rides on the local plant totora in order to view herons and ducks that are available. For the lovers of cycling, there are routes that cut across the Otavalo Valley, while the town also holds colorful karmic festivals of its Indigenous peoples. The Pawkar Raymi is the Andean new year and it occurs somewhere at the beginning of the agriculture season, that is, in early March, together with the vernal equinox. The Inti Raymi occurs in the Southern Hemisphere on the winter onset. Lots of activities are expected for both such as Andean music and dances. Other visitors prefer activities of a more practical nature, basket making out of totora reeds and making hats and trays is taught at craft workshops.

3) Pissouri, Cyprus

Located on the rugged western coastline of Cyprus, Pissouri is a less popular but attractive resort compared to Limassol town, about 30 minutes drive to the east. There are various outdoor activities to enjoy in Pissouri which is home to Cape Astrot hiking trail where you walk through huge rock structures enjoying breathtaking views of the turquoise waters with a beach and a pebble sand beach. The agricultural village has a cobbled small square with some local tavernas, where Cypriot Meze is served – various small servings of cheese and olives, seafood and grilled meats, and sauces. Pissouri has much more to offer, and if you are interested in the history of Pissouri, you can ask for a guided excursion at the G Theophamous Winery, which is devoted to Pissouri's Sultanina grape and winemaking culture. In order to attract more tourists in the coming years, this compact rural region is planning to build a specifically designed hiking trail for handicapped persons, apart from a Halloumi House, which will be dedicated to the unique cheese of Cyprus and the dairy goods produced in this area. 

4) Gharb Suhayl, Egypt

If you have made plans to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2025, then it would be interesting to consider a side trip to Aswan which is far south of Giza. From there take a 30 minutes boat ride towards the south where you will discover the beautiful ancient Nubian village of Gharb Suhayl by the Nile river. Other than the colorful decorated structures of blue, yellow, ochre which are the homes of the residents, there are beautiful sculpture paintings, which are claimed makes the region to the be like an open air gallery. Most likely, you will be taken inside the home of a Nubian family and shown that way of life. There will be no shortage of crazy markets selling various handicrafts and jewelry along with spices. Several high-end travel companies, including Black Tomato, make it possible to include Aswan as they offer a Nile cruise route that extends to Abu Simbel.

5) Uaxactún, Guatemala

Uaxactún, a site complex found in the heart of Guatemala, offers significantly less visitation from the typical tourist. This is primarily because most individuals tend to visit Tikal National Park and ignore Travelling to Uaxactún, a 30-minute drive towards the north. But it counts uncrowded forest trails where one gets to see the temples of the area, which include a ceremonial complex, stelae and an astronomy observatory that was used by the Maya in order to keep track of the occurrences of the various celestial bodies. Uaxactún experienced its Golden Age between AD 600 and AD 900 when it was known as a highly developed of art and astronomy. The site is dominated by a celebration of the spring equinox by the natives in the month of March through sacred activities that involve singing, chanting, making fires and beating drums in the village. Learn how to make beadwork and other forest craft items from natural resources when you visit the local women’s group Brisas de la Selva Maya.