This initiative of the World Tourism Organization has the purpose of maximizing the contribution of the sector to the reduction of regional inequalities and the fight against the depopulation of rural areas. Likewise, it seeks to promote the role of tourism in the appreciation and preservation of rural towns and their landscapes, knowledge systems, biological and cultural diversity, as well as local values ​​and activities, without forgetting gastronomy.

Nominations are encouraged that value the uniqueness of each town and publicize the best initiatives with a view to making tourism a vehicle that takes rural areas towards a better future.

The call is open to candidatures from towns with the following characteristics required by the UNWTO:

  • Low population density and a population of no more than 15,000 inhabitants (for the purpose of this requirement, the town must submit the population census for the last available year).
  • Be located in a landscape with a significant presence of traditional activities such as agriculture, forestry, livestock or fishing.
  • Share the values ​​and lifestyle of the community
  • For the purposes of this initiative, neighborhoods within a larger town or municipality are not eligible to apply.