Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As part of the 25th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) General Assembly, the "Best Tourist Villages" Awards Ceremony will take place at the Silk Road Samarkand tourist complex.

Every year, UNWTO recognizes the best rural tourist destinations that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development in all its aspects - economic, social, and environmental - as well as the preservation and promotion of local values and traditions, with the aim of making rural tourism a driving force for societal development and well-being.

"The ‘Best Tourist Village’ category was established by UNWTO in 2021 to draw attention not only to developed regions but also to settlements that have preserved their values and promote traditions," said Mansur Melikov, head of the Office of the Committee on Tourism.

"Uzbekistan has five nominees for the ‘Best Tourist Village’ category: Konigil in the Samarkand region, Sentob in the Navoi region, Sangardak in the Surkhandarya region, Uhum in the Jizzakh region, and Avval in the Fergana region," shared M. Melikov.

It’s worth noting that the "Best Tourist Villages" Awards Ceremony will take place for the third time this year. Like previous events, the ceremony will gather high-ranking representatives of member states recognized this year, as well as representatives of rural communities.