Two Ukrainian settlements have been included in the ranking of the best tourist villages in the world according to the UN
Two Ukrainian villages in Transcarpathia — Kolochava and Synevyrska Polyana — have been included in the ranking of the best tourist villages in the world according to the UN. This was announced by the the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
This year, 52 villages from different parts of the world — Africa, America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East — were included in the list. They were chosen from more than 270 applications submitted by 65 countries — members of the UN for tourism. Another 20 villages have joined the renewal program – this is an initiative for settlements that did not make it to the main rating, but have significant potential in the field of sustainable tourism.
Thus, a total of 72 villages have become part of the global network of Best Tourism Villages, which is formed annually by UNWTO to support the development of rural tourism that preserves authenticity and contributes to the well-being of local residents.
The Best Tourism Villages rating recognizes settlements that are an example of sustainable tourism development. It includes those that have unique cultural and natural resources, preserve the traditions and values of local communities, and demonstrate economic, social and environmental progress.
The village of Kolochava is located in the Khust district of the Zakarpattia region, on the territory of the “Synevyr” National Nature Park. It lies in a mountain valley among the Strimba, Darvayka, Barvinok, Krasna and Ruzha mountain ranges. There is a “Bird Park” and over ten museums, including “Old Village”, “Kolochava Narrow Gauge Railway”, “Steyer Bunker”.
Kolochava is known as the birthplace of the last Carpathian opryshka Mykola Shugai. The village is mentioned in 40 books and 15 films. A historical military monument has also been preserved here – the Arpad Line, a Hungarian defense system from the Second World War.
The village of Synevyrska Polyana is located near Lake Synevyr and the ecopark “Valley of the Wolves”. It has preserved an architectural monument – the wooden Church of the Intercession and a bell tower from the 18th–19th centuries. The proximity to natural and cultural attractions makes Synevyrska Polyana an attractive destination for tourists who seek to combine a vacation in the mountains with an acquaintance with the history and traditions of the region.
