CITTASLOW ASOLO, BELLANO AND AKYAKA BEST TOURISM VILLAGES 2025

Cittaslow. The recognition was awarded by the United Nations on October 17, 2025, in Huzhou, China.

Villages that best combine sustainable tourism, innovation, enhancement of local products, environmental protection, and quality of life.

A prestigious United Nations recognition for Italy and, indirectly, for the Cittaslow network: the villages of Asolo (TV) and Bellano (LC) have been named Best Tourism Villages 2025.The award was received on October 17, 2025, in Huzhou, China, by Mauro Migliorini, Deputy Mayor of Asolo, and Antonio Rusconi, Mayor of Bellano.

This recognition honors villages that best integrate sustainable tourism, innovation, promotion of local products, environmental protection, and quality of life—principles that are also central to Cittaslow. This confirms that belonging to the network positively impacts and improves various aspects of community life. In this regard, Asolo and Bellano are true ambassadors of slow and authentic tourism.

Asolo, Bellano and Akyaka, exemplary models for rural and sustainable tourism

The Cittaslow towns of Asolo (IT) and Bellano (IT), together with Akyaka (TR), have been recognized as Best Tourism Villages 2025, within the context of rural and sustainable tourism.These three Italian villages are virtuous examples of tourist destinations that preserve and promote values, products, and lifestyles rooted in the development of local communities, with a strong commitment to innovation and economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè commented:

“These villages are a source of great pride for Italy. We will continue to enhance their value—so much so that the upcoming International Tourism Forum, currently being defined, will include a special focus on undertourism and the enhancement of small towns.It is absolutely essential to recognize and support the value of these communities, treasures of history, culture, and traditions, representing the most precious heritage of our tourism ecosystem.”

Asolo, a hidden gem in the heart of Veneto, is a charming village rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Known as the “City of a Hundred Horizons” for its panoramic views over the Venetian plain and surrounding hills, it has long been an active member of the Cittaslow network.Asolo stands out for its quality of life, cultural authenticity, and strong civic participation. From environmental enhancement—such as the BoscAsolo project—to the protection of biodiversity and bees, to community engagement initiatives like the innovative guide “The Municipal Budget Explained to Citizens.”

Mayor Franco Dalla Rosa stated:

“The United Nations recognition fills us with pride. It is a well-deserved acknowledgment of our long-standing tradition of hospitality, built over the years through the commitment of tourism operators—both public and private—and the Asolo community as a whole.”

Overlooking the eastern shore of Lake Como in the province of Lecco, Bellano is also known as the “Village of Artists,” thanks to the many residents who have distinguished themselves in literature, music, theater, painting, sculpture, and photography.The village boasts a rich natural, historical, cultural, and gastronomic heritage, preserved through various environmental enhancement projects. Its quality of life is defined by a slow pace, unspoiled landscapes, artisan craftsmanship, and authentic local products.

Mayor Antonio Rusconi of Bellano stated:

“We are proud to receive this prestigious recognition for Bellano, and we thank the Lombardy Region and the Ministry of Tourism for nominating us.Through the international network we are part of, this high-quality recognition will help to enhance and give prestige to our provincial area, to the Lombardy Region, and to Italy as a whole—especially in rural, cultural, gastronomic, and sustainable tourism.These are the key themes of the policies and strategies we have chosen to pursue for the good of the village and its residents, as well as for the tourists who visit.”

Akyaka – some highlights

• Akyaka is located in the province of Muğla, Turkey.

• It was selected by the UNWTO for the 2025 list thanks to its combination of unspoiled natural landscapes, distinctive architecture blending traditional and eco-friendly design, and a tourism approach firmly anchored in sustainability and local community development.

• The recognition underscores that it is possible to develop while protecting nature and retaining local values—an approach that resonates closely with the Cittaslow ethos.

More info; https://tourism-villages.unwto.org/en/