Five Ukrainian Villages Compete for Global Tourism Recognition

Ukraine Enters Five Villages in UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages Competition

According to УНІАН — Туризм: Five rural settlements from Ukraine have been nominated for the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages competition in 2026. The submission deadline for applications closed on June 9, 2026, with winners set to be announced in the fourth quarter of that year. Notably, last year two villages from the Zakarpattia region-Kolochava and Synevyr Polyana-secured spots on the global winners' list in the same contest. This annual initiative highlights outstanding rural destinations worldwide, offering a platform for lesser-known areas to gain international exposure.

Ukraine’s 2026 Contenders

The villages representing Ukraine in 2026 are:

• Opishnia (Poltava region)
• Kryvorivnia (Ivano-Frankivsk region)
• Vyhoda (Ivano-Frankivsk region)
• Kytaihorod (Khmelnytskyi region)
• Medzhybizh (Khmelnytskyi region)

From July to September 2026, an expert panel will evaluate all participating villages. The winners are expected to be revealed in the fourth quarter of 2026; last year, the announcement took place in mid-October.

Opishnia stands out as the primary hub for contemporary Ukrainian pottery. Kryvorivnia is renowned as the filming location for iconic movies. Vyhoda is famous for its unique narrow-gauge railway, while Kytaihorod boasts a deep canyon along the Ternava River and the Kytaihorod geological exposure. Medzhybizh is known for its 14th-century fortress and the burial site of Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism.

This competition is a significant event for advancing Ukraine’s tourism sector, offering villages a chance to showcase their unique cultural and natural assets on an international stage.

Participating in such a contest can help attract tourists, thereby boosting the local economies of these regions and raising their profile among international travelers.