Synevyrska Polyana, Ukraine. Villages of Ukraine and Azerbaijan are included in the list of the best tourist villages in the world according to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The World Tourism Organization has announced this year’s list of top tourist villages. It includes 52 rural communities from different regions of the world, which are recognized as world leaders in the field of sustainable tourism and local community development. Among them are the Ukrainian Kolochava and Synevyrskaya Polyana, as well as the Azerbaijani Khinalig.
UN agency Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili noted that tourism can become “a powerful tool for achieving shared prosperity, inclusive growth and territorial cohesion in rural areas.”
Total to the global network of rural tourism areas promoting sustainable development now includes 319 villages around the world.
Caucasian Antiquity: Azerbaijani Khinalig
At an altitude of more than 2 thousand meters in the Caucasus Mountains, Khinalig is located – one of the oldest permanently inhabited settlements in the world, whose history goes back about 5 thousand years. The village is home to a semi-nomadic people whose culture and way of life are determined by seasonal migrations between summer and winter pastures and preserve the ancient method of vertical movement of livestock over long distances. An organically developed network, including ancient routes, temporary pastures and sites, mausoleums and mosques, demonstrates a sustainable eco-social system adapted to extreme environmental conditions. Wednesday.
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Stone houses built on steep slopes, a unique language and traditions make Khinalig a cultural phenomenon. Today the village develops eco-tourism, holds festivals and ethnographic events, maintaining a balance between nature and tradition.
Heart of the Carpathians: Ukrainian villages preserving nature and traditions
Kolochava, located in the center of the Carpathians in the Synevyr National Natural Park, is a living open-air museum where history, culture and nature come together in harmony. Its history reflects the diverse heritage of a region that has been influenced by several states over the centuries, from Austria-Hungary and Czechoslovakia to Romania and Hungary. This is reflected in the richness of cultural traditions, languages and crafts that have survived to this day. The village is famous for its ten museums, craft traditions and gastronomic heritage. Ancient crafts are being revived here – from weaving and wood carving to cheese making. Local residents are actively developing ecotourism, holding festivals and environmental events, creating 3D tours, inviting travelers to discover the Carpathians in a sustainable format.
The neighboring Synevyrska Polyana, which has been mentioned since 1465, is known as the “pearl of the Carpathians”. Also located in the Synevyr National Natural Park, the village is surrounded by relict beech forests and is famous for the lake of the same name – one of the seven natural wonders of Ukraine. The local community develops ecotourism and spa services, offers ethnographic programs, master classes in crafts and tastings of traditional cuisine, creating jobs and supporting local producers. Through the SynevyrECO initiative, local artisans and farmers are uniting to promote environmentally friendly products and sustainable tourism, creating new jobs and strengthening the region’s economy.