Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Masfout, a charming mountain village in the Emirate of Ajman, has been named one of the world’s Best Tourism Villages 2025 by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism). The award was announced during a ceremony in Huzhou City, China, attended by a UAE delegation led by Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development.
Masfout received this honour for its beautiful natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and efforts in sustainable and eco-friendly tourism. The village stood out as a model of how rural tourism can balance development, environmental care, and community values.
This year, 52 villages from 29 countries were recognised, including places like Koyasan (Japan), Chamarel (Mauritius), Bled (Slovenia), and Carlos Pellegrini (Argentina). They were chosen from over 270 applications submitted by 65 UN Tourism Member States.
With this recognition, Masfout joins the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages Network, which now has 319 villages worldwide. The network supports cooperation, experience sharing, and sustainable growth among rural destinations.
According to UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, these villages prove that tourism can help rural areas grow, protect their traditions, and create better futures for their people.
This global recognition highlights Ajman’s and the UAE’s commitment to promoting eco-tourism, preserving culture, and supporting sustainable rural development.
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