Tempting horizons: Ukrainian villages of Vorokhta and Urych are among the world’s best tourist villages in 2024

On November 15, 2024, it became known that the villages of Vorokhta (Ivano-Frankivsk region) and Urych (Lviv region) had won the UN Tourism international initiative The Best Tourism Villages. The network of the Best Tourism Villages included 199 settlements. This year, 260 applications were submitted from more than 60 countries, of which 55 villages were added to the list, including two Ukrainian ones.
This initiative is designed to recognize villages that impress with their cultural authenticity, natural beauty, development of tourist infrastructure and preservation of local traditions. The victory of the two Ukrainian communities is an important step towards popularizing rural tourism in Ukraine at the global level.

Photo from the site State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine

Both villages are extremely unique. For example, Vorokhta, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, is a picturesque mountain resort. This magical place has a rich nature that promotes health and well-being. The village serves as a gateway to extraordinary journeys along scenic hiking trails, unique architectural monuments and a historic railway viaduct, making it an ideal destination for nature and thrill seekers.
Urych is located amidst the stunning landscapes of the Lviv region. Surrounded by the majestic Carpathians and lush forests of the Skole Beskydy National Nature Park, Urych offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past. The village is famous for the remains of the Tustan Fortress, a magnificent wooden and stone structure of the 13th and 16th centuries. Tustan is recognized as a national cultural monument and part of the state historical reserve.

Urych is also located in the ethnographic region of Boikivshchyna, where traditions, customs, dialects, and crafts are carefully preserved. The destination is known for its innovative approach to tourism based on the model of a museum and tourist cluster. Local businesses and institutions cooperate under a single brand, multiplying the effect of marketing efforts and improving the visitor experience.

To prepare for participation in the international competition, the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine engaged experts and nominees from the Union for the Promotion of Rural Green Tourism of Ukraine (UGTU). This experience is a testament to the effectiveness of public-private partnership and the prospects for further cooperation.
The winning villages will receive support from UN Tourism to develop infrastructure, share experiences with other communities around the world, and promote themselves on the international market. They will also become part of a global network of tourist villages, which opens up opportunities for new projects and cooperation.
This success demonstrates that Ukraine is becoming more and more visible on the world’s tourism map. Vorokhta and Urych are now not only the pride of their regions, but also an inspiration for other communities in the country. The next iteration – in 2025 – is coming soon, and the UWTU experts are ready to share and multiply their experience in preparing applications for new nominees.

The material was prepared by:
Viktoriia Kiptenko, PhD in Geography, Associate Professor of the Department of Country Studies and Tourism at Kyiv National University, Vice President for International Activities of the Academy of Rural Development of the NWTU Union.
Diana Hryniuk, PhD in Geography, Lecturer at the Department of Country Studies and Tourism at Kyiv National University, Vice President for Marketing and Communication at the Academy of Rural Development of the EBA Union
Olha Hapiy, member of the UP Village volunteer pool, volunteer at the Academy of Rural Development of the NWTU Union.