The UN Tourism has announced the winners of the latest “Best Tourism Villages” project. Among them is the village of Omonkhona in Baysun district of Surkhandarya region.

It should be noted that the “Best Tourism Village” competition has been held since 2021. This status is awarded to villages demonstrating outstanding performance in ecological and agritourism, including those that have preserved cultural and natural values, organic food products, and traditional ways of life.

This year, more than 270 applications from 65 countries across Africa, America, Asia, and Europe were accepted for the competition. Among the winners was Omonkhona village, located in the mountainous area of Baysun district and known for its natural landscapes, healing springs, historical monuments, intangible cultural heritage, and hospitable population.

It should be recalled that in 2024, Omonkhona village was granted the status of a tourism village. Its inclusion in the UN program is not only international recognition, but also a successful result of Uzbekistan’s consistent policy aimed at the sustainable development of rural areas and the creation of new tourist centers.

The UN Tourism development programme includes promising villages with high tourism potential, selected competitively. It aims to strengthen their capacities and promote them among tourists through expert support, training programs, and technical consultations.

Mukhtarama Komilova, UzA