Valeni Village in the Republic of Moldova awarded Best Tourism Village 2023 by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

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The 3rd edition of the international UNWTO contest "Best Tourism Villages 2023" took place on October 18 during the 25th General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The award “recognizes villages that are leading the way in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.” It is thanks to the impressive results of developing a high-quality tourist offering focused on local cultural and natural heritage that put the Lower Prut River region of Moldova on the international tourist map. This contributed to the village of Valeni from Cahul district in southern Moldova being recognized during the General Assembly as one of the best examples of rural tourism globally, thereby becoming a business card for the Republic of Moldova that exemplifies the country’s focus on sustainable tourism development in rural areas.

​​​"Valeni is, starting today, one of the most attractive touristic villages worldwide! The distinction honors us as a country and represents  more proof of the extraordinary tourism potential of the Republic of Moldova. I would like to congratulate the local public administration of Valeni village, as well as its inhabitants, for the way they chose to capitalize on the cultural and natural richness of the area. For the Ministry of Culture, it is a priority to promote and capitalize on the tourism potential of our localities. Rural tourism is a new breath for the development of villages in Moldova. Rural architecture, traditions and hospitality of local communities can generate economic and social development benefits. Thus, the recognition of Valeni village at the prestigious contest "Best Tourism Villages" comes to support local culture and traditions that boost the development of rural tourism in the Republic of Moldova," said Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan who attended the award cermony together with Silvia Stirbet, a representative of Valeni village. 

This Best Villages 2023 is a UNWTO programme that fosters “development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism and encourage sustainable practices.” The award and inclusion into the Best Tourism Villages Network is given in recognition of outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with cultural heritage and natural resources that preserve and promote rural and community values, product, and lifestyles with aclear commitment to sustainability and innovation in all aspects. The selection process assesses each village’s resources and initiatives in nine areas covering the three pillars of sustainable development, including economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Recent tourism investments and developments in Moldova’s rural areas, with the strategic support of USAID financed projects, provided support to achieve the strenuous criteria required by UNWTO Best Tourism Villages programme.  In the last few years, despite many crises in the region,  the southern region of Moldova, especially the village of Valeni has made giant leaps in developing its unique tourism offer by diversifying its authentic tourism experiences that preserve local traditions, crafts, tangible and intangible heritage, and natural landscapes. An example of this is the recent development of four cycling routes through southern Moldova that combine the best of local nature and culture by taking cyclists through beautiful landscapes as well as rural villages to visit artisans, stay at local family guesthouses and enjoy home-cooked traditional Moldovan dishes with ingredients sourced from local farms. The Lower Prut Nature Reserve that is recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve adds value to the authenticity of Văleni village by offering visitors immersive travel experiences, uniting communities and creating new sustainable business opportunities in tourism.  

Moldova promotes its rural tourism under the national brands "Tree of Life" & "Wine of Moldova" by supporting local and regional festivals and initiatives, promoting authentic local products and creating a narrative of a village full of legends. Through strategic marketing activities on Moldova.Travel and its platforms, including an immersive 360-degree virtual tour website, Moldova is becoming better known internationally as a unique destination known for its authentic hospitality and culture that is worth visiting by travelers from all over the world. 

Learn more about the award-winning Valeni village in Moldova in this video   and why it was selected as a winner of Best Tourism Villages 2023.