by InTrieste
32 destinations from around the world, including 14 in Europe, have been named as the ‘Best Tourism Villages 2023’ by the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), including Friuli Venezia-Giulia’s village of Sauris.
The nomination as “Best Tourism Village” internationally distinguishes those villages “which are exceptional examples of rural tourist destinations, endowed with accredited cultural and natural assets, which preserve and promote values, products and lifestyles based on the development of the local community and demonstrate a clear commitment to innovation and economic, social and environmental sustainability.”
The Best Tourism Villages chosen from 18 countries across the five world regions were evaluated by an independent advisory board based on nine areas: Cultural and Natural Resources, Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources, Economic Sustainability, Social Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration, Governance and Prioritization of Tourism, Infrastructure and Connectivity and Health, Safety, and Security.
Friuli Venezia Giulia’s village of Sauris, immersed in the nature of the Carnic Alps, is located at a height ranging between 1,000 and 1,400 meters above sea level.
The village has been semi-isolated for centuries, preserving its culture and architecture. Maybe the most unique thing about this village is that the ancient language spoken in the Friuli area is still spoken in Sauris.
