Saudi Arabia's AlUla and Jordan’s Umm Qais named in UN list of Best Tourism Villages

Thirty-two villages around the world have been recognised this year

AlUla's Old Town has been named one of the UN World Tourism Organisation's Best Tourism Villages for 2022. Photo: RCU AlUla

Ancient mud-brick houses line the streets of AlUla's Old Town. Photo: RCU AlUla

The Saudi Arabian village reopened in 2021 after extensive reconstruction. Photo: RCU AlUla

The ancient village was a key settlement on the pilgramage route to Makkah. Photo: RCU AlUla

Visitors can tour its ancient streets. Photo: RCU AlUla

The village has a maze-like network of ancient mud-brick houses. Photo: RCU AlUla

AlUla's Old Town was part of the ancient Incense Route. Photo: RCU AlUla

A view of AlUla Old Town district from above. Photo: RCU AlUla

Jordan's Umm Qais is also listed as one of the world's Best Tourism Villages by the UN World Tourism Organisation for 2022. Amy McConaghy / The National

The village lies beside the ancient Roman Decapolis city of Gadara. AFP

An ancient amphitheatre in Umm Qais. Amy McConaghy / The National

A view of the columns of the Church Terasse at the ancient city of Gadara, in Umm Qais. EPA

Umm Qais is known for its breathtaking views over the Jordan Valley. Amy McConaghy / The National

The sun sets in the sky over Umm Qais. EPA

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla tour Umm Qais on November 17, 2021 as part of a four-day visit to the Middle East. Getty Images

AlUla's ancient Old Town and the hilltop Umm Qais are among the world's Best Tourism Villages according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

The rural destinations in Saudi Arabia and Jordan are listed in this year's top 32 villages, as revealed by the organisation on Tuesday.

Now in its second year, the UN programme recognises rural destinations embracing tourism as a driver of development, preserving community values and championing sustainability.

This year, 57 countries put forward 136 villages for consideration, with each member state able to nominate a maximum of three villages. From these, 32 were chosen.

In Saudi Arabia, the Old Town of AlUla was once an important settlement along the pilgrimage route from Damascus to Makkah. Reopened last year after extensive reconstruction, travellers can wander its maze-like remnants of original stone and mud brick buildings, and visit AlUla Castle which dates to the 10th century.

In the north of Jordan, about two hours north of Amman, the 200-year-old village of Umm Qais is best known for its ancient Ottoman-era streets, breathtaking views over the Jordan Valley and nearby Roman ruins of Gadara. King Charles III visited the region during his Middle East tour last year.

“For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a true gamechanger in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary-General.

“The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities.”

An additional 20 destinations have been enrolled in the UNWTO’s Upgrade Programme. This aims to provide training, awareness and best practices for villages to help boost their rural tourism numbers.

Last year, the UNWTO launched the initiative and recognised more than 40 villages from more than 30 countries. This means there are now a total of 115 villages around the world in the best tourism villages network.

In the Middle East, Misfat Al Abriyeen in the mountains of Oman, the pine-surrounded village of Bkassine in Lebanon and Rijal Almaa in Saudi Arabia, also known as the kingdom’s gingerbread village, were on the 2021 list.

Nominations for the next programme will open in February, coinciding with the first meeting of the UNWTO Network of Best Tourism Villages in Saudi Arabia.

UNWTO's 32 Best Tourism Villages

• Zell am See, Austria
• Wagrain, Austria
• Puqueldon, Chile
• Dazhai, China
• Jingzhu, China
• Choachi, Colombia
• Aguarico, Ecuador
• Angochagua, Ecuador
• Choke Mountains Ecovillage, Ethiopia
• Mestia, Georgia
• Kfar Kama, Israel
• Sauris-Zahre, Italy
• Isola del Giglio, Italy
• Umm Qais, Jordan
• Creel, Mexico
• El Fuerte, Mexico
• Ksar Elkhorbat, Morocco
• Moulay Bouzerktoune, Morocco
• Lamas, Peru
• Raqchi, Peru
• Castelo Novo, Portugal
• Pyeongsa-ri, South Korea
• Rasinari, Romania
• AlUla Old Town, Saudi Arabia
• Bohinj, Slovenia
• Rupit, Spain
• Alquezar, Spain
• Guadalupe, Spain
• Murten, Switzerland
• Andermatt, Switzerland
• Birgi, Turkey
• Thai Hai, Vietnam