Five Ukrainian villages have been nominated for the title of "best in the world" by UNWTO
Ukraine has selected five communities to represent the country in the UN World Tourism Organization’s international competition, “The Best Tourism Villages 2026.”
The list of candidates includes villages and towns from the Poltava, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Khmelnytskyi regions, which are distinguished by their rich cultural heritage, history, and tourism potential.
One of the contenders is Opishnia in Poltava Oblast. The town has long been known as one of the main centers of Ukrainian pottery and folk art.
Ancient crafts are preserved here, and the local culture attracts tourists from various regions of Ukraine and abroad.
The Ivano-Frankivsk region will be represented in the competition by two locations. The first is Kryvorivnia, often called the cultural capital of Hutsulshchyna.
The village is known for its authentic traditions, historical landmarks, and special significance to Ukrainian culture.
The second representative of the Carpathian region is Vyhoda. The village gained popularity thanks to its narrow-gauge railway and the “Carpathian Tram” tourist route, which allows travelers to see the picturesque corners of the Carpathian region.
The Khmelnytskyi region nominated two candidates. The village of Kytayhorod attracts attention with its natural landmarks, particularly the Ternava River Canyon and unique geological sites.
Meanwhile, Medzhybizh is known for its medieval fortress and holds great significance for pilgrims, as it is the burial site of the founder of Hasidism, Baal Shem Tov.
The international program The Best Tourism Villages is designed to support the development of rural tourism and the preservation of traditions and cultural heritage.
Participation in the program gives communities the opportunity to attract investors, increase tourist traffic, and enhance their international visibility.
Natalia Tabaka, Head of the State Agency for Tourism Development, emphasized that this initiative aims to support communities that preserve their own identity while creating new opportunities for development.
According to her, such communities not only care for their cultural and natural heritage but also contribute to the development of local businesses and the improvement of residents’ quality of life.
“This initiative highlights those who preserve traditions, care for cultural and natural heritage, develop local tourism products, and infuse them with contemporary meaning. Such communities not only preserve their identity but also create new opportunities for development, local business, and quality of life. That is why it is important for us to support them, open up new travel routes across the country for Ukrainians, and gradually generate interest in these places among visitors from around the world,” noted Natalia Tabaka.
This was reported by Travel Press Club.
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