Four villages in Turkey have been named among the best in the world for tourists. Akyaka in Muğla, Barbaros in Izmir, Anıtlı in Mardin, and Kaleüçağız in Antalya have been recognised by the U.N. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) .
The announcement was made by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy earlier this month. He confirmed the quaint but sensational locales were honoured in the fifth edition of the Best Tourism Villages initiative, citing their natural beauty, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and commitment to sustainable tourism. “These villages, which stand out with their natural beauty, rich culture and sustainable tourism approach, are helping promote the richness of Anatolia to the world,” Ersoy wrote in a statement posted on his social media.
“We view tourism not only as an economic activity, but also as a force that protects our cultural heritage, supports local development and puts people at the center.”
Akyaka, Barbaros, Anıtlı and Kaleüçağız are four of 52 villages from 29 countries selected from more than 270 applications submitted from across the globe.
Akyaka is a peaceful village with a population of just 3,147 situated at the far end of the Gulf of Gokova, while Barbaros is much smaller with a population of 1,142
Anıtlı, located in the historical region of Tur Abdin, is home to just 165 people despite boasting some of the world’s most beautiful and iconic churches, most notably the Church of the Virgin Mary.
Kaleüçağız is a neighbourhood in the municipality and district of Demre in the Antalya Province with 517 inhabitants.
The finalists were chosen based on how they met certain criteria, namely preservation of cultural heritage, sustainable use of natural resources, and tourism’s contribution to local development.
The full list of villages was announced during a ceremony in Huzhou, China, while an upgraded list was posted, the Upgraded Program, which included an additional 20 villages which would offer them support and advice to meet the criteria and be included in the main awards in the future.
With the new additions, the number of villages in the “Best Tourism Villages Network” has reached 319. while the tourism agency confirmed applications for the next addition will open in the first quarter of next year.
