The picturesque Portuguese settlement of Lóriga, situated high in the mountains within the municipality of Seia, has garnered significant international recognition. It has been formally inducted into the highly respected list of the "Best Tourist Villages of the World 2025," an accolade conferred by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This prestigious designation is a testament to the village's dedication to responsible development. Crucially, this mark of distinction is set to remain valid for a period of three years, confirming the unwavering commitment of this rural territory to achieving sustainable economic and social progress through the meticulous preservation of its unique cultural and natural heritage. This honor places Lóriga among a select group of global destinations prioritizing long-term viability over short-term gains.
The selection of Lóriga underscores a fundamental principle: that successful tourism must function as a powerful instrument for safeguarding cultural distinctiveness, actively fostering local diversity, and ensuring the robust protection of regional biodiversity. The village’s model demonstrates how visitor engagement can directly contribute to conservation efforts. Furthermore, this achievement is not isolated for the nation. Portugal celebrated multiple successes in this initiative, as both Mértola, located in the historic Alentejo region, and Vila Nogueira de Azeitão were also honored. This simultaneous recognition highlights the rich, expansive variety of Portugal’s rural landscapes and the country’s collective success in developing high-quality, sustainable visitor experiences across different regions.
The UNWTO initiative, which was officially launched in 2021, was established with the specific goal of identifying and promoting settlements where tourism serves as a genuine catalyst for holistic development. The program’s inaugural year saw the selection of 44 villages spanning 20 countries, immediately establishing a benchmark for the rigorous standards and wide geographical scope of the assessment process. Lóriga successfully navigated a complex and multi-faceted evaluation framework. The criteria extended far beyond the simple aesthetic appeal of its scenic views; judges meticulously scrutinized concrete performance indicators related to effective governance and management practices, the quality and accessibility of local infrastructure, and, perhaps most importantly, the depth of involvement and engagement demonstrated by the local community in the tourism value chain.
Attaining this coveted UNWTO recognition immediately integrates Lóriga into an exclusive international network, allowing it to share and adopt world-leading practices in the specialized field of rural tourism. This membership provides invaluable opportunities for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative marketing efforts among the world's top sustainable destinations. For the modern traveler, who increasingly seeks meaningful and authentic journeys that respect local cultures and environments, this designation acts as a powerful assurance, guaranteeing quality and a steadfast adherence to the core principles of sustainability. The ongoing, collaborative support provided by both the local populace and governmental authorities for destinations such as Lóriga validates the successful implementation of a unique system. In this exemplary model, strategic development is intrinsically linked to the preservation of heritage, ensuring that economic growth enhances, rather than diminishes, the invaluable local assets. This recognition is expected to drive conscious tourism flows, benefiting the community for the full three-year duration of the award and establishing a legacy of sustainable stewardship.