These undiscovered Italian villages have been declared the new hotspots
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Italy is struggling with overtourism, but tourism can also solve problems. Because another problem is the depopulation of Italian villages, which young people are leaving en masse for a better future in the city. And if you send tourists there, you suddenly prevent places from turning into ghost towns. UNWTO named three Italian villages as Best Tourism Villages this year; this is where you should go to escape the crowds during your vacation.
Best Tourism Villages 2023
Various projects have already been set up in recent years to save the depopulating villages from decline, such as 1 euro houses, the Borghi più Belli-election and the Borgo dei Borghi. The World Tourism Organization is doing something similar worldwide, by naming The Best Tourism Villages for the past three years. The organization recognizes villages that are leading in the maintenance of rural areas, the preservation of landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions. 260 applications were assessed this year on the following points:
- Cultural and natural resources
- Promotion and preservation of cultural resources
- Economic sustainability
- Social sustainability
- Environmental sustainability
- Tourism development and value chain integration
- Governance and prioritization of tourism
- Infrastructure and connectivity
- Health, safety, and security
Lerici, Civita di Bagnoreggio, and Sabbioneta
From the applications, 54 villages were selected worldwide that are The Best Tourism Villages of 2023. So there are three in Italy. The village of Lerici on the Ligurian coast is one of them, where you find culture, natural riches, a focus on commitment to community preservation, and innovation and sustainability around the economy, society, and environment. As a tourist, you will concretely find: castles, beach, narrow streets, and colorful houses. Moreover, you can attach it to a trip to Cinque Terre, as it is nearby. A whole lot of beautiful reasons to visit the village.
The other two Italian villages also fall under The Best Tourism Villages but are eligible for UNWTO's upgrade program. They do not yet meet all criteria but will receive support from now on to work towards that. Civita di Bagnoreggio in Lazio is already worth a visit in my opinion; the village is situated on a hill overlooking a valley not far from Orvieto, has palaces, castles, a cathedral, and an impressive pedestrian bridge that you must cross to reach the village. Sabbioneta in Lombardy is a walled village that has been on the World Heritage List for years and has almost more important art in its possession than inhabitants. So, will you help the villages with a little walk this year?
