Huzhou: Masfout in the Emirate of Ajman was announced and recognised today as one of the world’s Best Tourism Villages by the World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) during a special ceremony in Huzhou City, China. The event was attended by a UAE delegation led by Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development. Masfout received this honour due to its unique natural, cultural, and tourism assets that have made it a model in sustainable ecotourism and rural tourism.
According to Emirates News Agency, the recognition of Masfout is part of the fifth edition of the Best Tourism Villages initiative, which includes 52 newly recognised villages from 29 countries, such as Koyasan in Japan, Chamarel in Mauritius, and Bled in Slovenia. These villages have been acknowledged for their role in leading tourism for rural development. Selected from over 270 applications from 65 UN Tourism Member States, these villages highlight the potential of tourism to foster rural development.
Masfout’s inclusion in the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network marks a significant achievement, with the network growing to 319 villages. This global accomplishment reflects the UAE’s and Ajman’s efforts to develop a model for sustainable eco-tourism and rural tourism, balancing development, environmental conservation, and cultural identity.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stated that tourism can drive shared prosperity and inclusive growth in rural areas. The Best Tourism Villages 2025 showcases communities preserving cultural heritage, natural resources, and economic opportunities through tourism, promoting social inclusion and future readiness.
Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative, part of the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme, accelerates tourism’s role in rural development. It values rural areas’ landscapes, knowledge systems, biodiversity, and cultural heritage, assessed by an independent Advisory Board across nine evaluation areas.
The initiative consists of three pillars: the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism, recognising rural tourism destinations with cultural and natural assets; the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme, supporting high-potential villages; and the Best Tourism Villages Network, a platform for exchanging experiences and opportunities in rural tourism development.