Two villages in Switzerland have been named as part of the “Best Tourism Villages” list for 2022 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Andermatt and Murten beat 104 other villages from around the world to be recognised in the list.
According to the UNWTO, tourism villages are areas which are committed to promoting and preserving their own cultural heritage. This can range from maintaining historical sites to preserving agricultural and forestry practices. Of particular note is a village’s commitment to sustainable development, and how said development affects tourism.
In 2022, 136 villages from around the world applied to be part of the list. The Swiss government nominated three villages this year, including Ernen, Canton Valais, Andermatt, Canton Uri and Murten (also known as Morat), Canton Fribourg.
After much deliberation, the UNWTO decided to include Murten and Andermatt as part of the 32 new additions to the list. Now, along with Gruyères, Saas-Fee and Val Poschiavo, only Spain has as many “tourism villages” as Switzerland.
Sitting atop a hill overlooking the lake of the same name, Murten is undoubtedly one of the best villages to visit in Switzerland. The site of a major battle, Murten today is famous for its old town, castle and defensive walls.
Andermatt on the other hand is most famous for being a top Swiss ski resort along with its neighbours Sedrun and Disentis. A stop on the Glacier Express, the surrounding area gives adrenaline junkies the chance to ride down six different mountains on medium to challenging ski runs.
Video: Ferienregion Andermatt / YouTube
Both towns were praised for their “strong orientation towards sustainable development, their proximity to agricultural activities and the local added value that tourism brings to their region.” As prize for being part of the list, the UNWTO will now start a global media campaign in an effort to attract more visitors to the stunning villages on the list.
You can find out the rest of the winners, and how the list was created, on the official website.