Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism

Andermatt was recognised as one of the world's best tourism villages by UN Tourism in 2022. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism’ award recognises rural communities that stand out for their sustainable tourism development, cultural preservation and forward-looking strategies. As a traditional Alpine village in Switzerland, Andermatt impressively demonstrates how sustainable tourism can succeed in harmony with nature, the population and economic development.

What is the ‘Best Tourism Villages’ initiative?

Launched in 2021, the UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) initiative recognises villages worldwide that:

• consistently focus on sustainable tourism

• actively preserve their natural and cultural resources

• pursue inclusive and innovative development strategies

• actively involve the local population in tourism

Why was Andermatt honoured?

Andermatt convinced the jury with:

• its strong focus on sustainable development

• its anchoring in Alpine agriculture and regionality

• the local added value through tourism

• existing sustainability certifications, e.g. Swisstainable

• concrete projects in the areas of hydro and wind power, sustainable construction and soft mobility

More than just a label: responsibility and international networking

The award not only brings international visibility and media presence, but also the opportunity for active cooperation with other Best Tourism Villages. Today, Andermatt maintains dialogue with other award-winning villages such as San Ginesio in Italy, Huangling in China, Rupit in Spain and Murten in the canton of Bern - with the common goal of learning from each other and further developing sustainable tourism globally.