St. Johann in Tyrol: Award as Best Tourism Village for Sustainability

St. Johann in Tyrol: Award as Best Tourism Village for Sustainability

The award of St. Johann in Tirol as a "Best Tourism Village 2024" by the UN tourism organization represents an important milestone for the community and the entire region. This honor emphasizes the special achievements in the sustainable development of the tourism sector and shows that St. Johann acts as a model.

"I congratulate St. Johann and everyone involved in this great award," said Susanne Kraus-Winkler, the Secretary of State of Tourism, during the ceremony in Vienna. Her words illustrate the importance of the award that aims to consolidate Austria as one of the most sustainable tourism destinations worldwide. St. Johann is recognized for his commitment in the area of sustainability, which is also a confirmation for Plan T - the master plan for tourism.

background to the award

A total of Austria now has six municipalities that have this title: Previously, municipalities such as Kaunertal and Wagrain have been awarded. St. Johann is one of the EU's nine winners this year and was recognized for various innovative projects. These include measures against climate change such as the initiative E5, which focuses on energy -efficient solutions in the community. St. Johann is also part of the “Clear! Regio3” program, which promotes sustainability strategies.

Mayor Stefan Seiwald describes St. Johann not only as a tourist destination, but also as a meeting point for locals and tourists. The community encourages recognition as a best tourism Village in continuing the path taken to sustainability. Seiwald emphasizes that the cooperation of the regional population is essential for a sustainable design of the community. "Our efforts are now recognized internationally, which makes us proud," he added.

Josef Grander, chairman of the Kitzbüheler Alpen tourism association, emphasizes that this award is confirmation of the sustainable development of tourism in the region. He explains that the municipality wants to actively contribute to integrating regional culture and customs into tourism. "With this award, we see ourselves confirmed in our actions for the future," said Grander.

This year a total of 55 rural tourism communities were awarded by more than 60 countries in the UN tourism initiative. The winners were announced on November 14, 2024 during a meeting in Colombia and was ceremoniously recognized in the presence of the Austrian ambassador. Over 260 municipalities had applied for the award, which were evaluated by an international jury in various categories. These areas ranged from cultural and natural resources to sustainability and regional added value.

The "Best Tourism Villages" serve as international examples of sustainable tourism development in rural areas. You not only receive visibility from the UN tourism organization, but also benefit from a global network of excellent destinations. Further information on the initiative can be found at unwto.org .