LJUBLJANA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Slovenian town of Bled has been officially named one of the world's Best Tourism Villages by the United Nations' (UN) Tourism, joining a global network of rural destinations recognized for sustainable and community-based tourism, the Slovenian Tourist Board announced on Friday.
Famed for its picturesque glacial lake with a small island and church at its center, Bled received the accolade under the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages initiative, which honors locations that preserve natural and cultural heritage while fostering sustainable tourism development.
According to Slovenia's Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, the recognition reaffirms Bled's status as one of the world's leading sustainable destinations.
The initiative aims to address rural depopulation by supporting villages that use tourism to generate economic opportunities and protect local traditions and values. Although non-financial, the award brings international visibility and access to UN Tourism's global development network.
Home to around 8,000 residents, Bled is the latest Slovenian destination to earn the title, following Solcava and Radovljica in 2021 and Bohinj in 2022, the Slovenian Tourist Board said. ■
