UN Honors Three Iranian Villages as Top Global Tourism Destinations
In a significant recognition of cultural heritage and sustainable practices, three Iranian villages have been acknowledged as part of the world’s 52 best tourism villages for 2025 by UN Tourism. This accolade highlights their commitment to preserving local traditions while promoting economic growth through tourism.
The announcement came during a prestigious ceremony in Huzhou, China, which aimed to spotlight rural communities globally that are committed to safeguarding their cultural heritage, natural environments, and economic opportunities through tourism.
The honored Iranian villages include:
- Kandelous in Mazandaran province
- Soheili on Qeshm Island
- Shafiabad in Kerman province
These villages showcase the incredible diversity of Iran’s landscapes, which encompass:
- Northern forests
- Central deserts
- Southern coastal regions
Soheili, located on Qeshm Island in southern Iran, has become a pioneer in eco-tourism and community-based conservation. The local community actively engages in:
- Protecting the Hara mangrove forests
- Promoting environmentally friendly boating
- Welcoming visitors with local seafood and artisanal crafts
Additionally, the clear, starry night skies create a magical atmosphere for tourists. The fishermen of Soheili have transformed their livelihoods into a broader marine conservation movement, symbolizing a responsible relationship between humans and nature.
Kandelous, nestled in the verdant slopes of the Alborz Mountains, is recognized as one of the oldest rural settlements in northern Iran. Its attractions include:
- Traditional stone houses
- Handicrafts
- Hiking trails through ancient Hyrcanian forests
Kandelous also features a cultural heritage museum and a herbal museum that reflects the village’s integration of traditional knowledge with modern creativity, promoting a knowledge-based rural economy.
Shafiabad, situated on the edge of the Lut Desert, is famous for its Qajar-era caravanserai and the stunning surrounding sand dunes and giant Kaluts, which are natural desert formations sculpted by wind erosion. These picturesque features draw photographers and travelers from around the world.
Zurab Pololikashvili, the UN Tourism Secretary-General, remarked, “Our Best Tourism Villages 2025 highlight communities that are working to safeguard their cultural heritage, preserve their natural resources, and create economic opportunities through tourism.”
The UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages program is designed to recognize rural destinations that exemplify resilience, innovation, and sustainable development in tourism. This year, 52 villages from various regions, including Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, were selected from over 270 applications submitted by 65 UN Tourism member states.
Iran, recognized for its rich tapestry of over 60,000 villages, is often described as a living archive of human civilization. Each village represents a unique historical narrative that balances humanity and nature.
In Shafiabad, for example, women-led initiatives in handicrafts, the restoration of qanats (ancient water channels), and eco-tourism underscore the strong connection between cultural heritage and social empowerment, as noted by the Iranian Tourism Organization.
This recognition not only highlights the incredible beauty and cultural wealth of these villages but also emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism practices in preserving the environment and uplifting local communities.
