A traditional house in the Hawizeh Marshes of Iraq.
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi State Board of Tourism announced on Saturday, June 27, 2026, the formal submission of comprehensive nomination files for five distinct Iraqi villages to compete in the United Nations’ “Best Tourism Villages 2026” initiative.
The global program, organized by UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO), recognizes outstanding rural destinations that safeguard cultural heritage, promote eco-friendly policies, and leverage tourism as a catalyst for sustainable development.
Ali Yassin Abdel-Redha, the spokesperson for the Board of Tourism, confirmed to the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the United Nations has officially acknowledged the receipt of Iraq’s finalized applications. The selected locations were mapped following deep-dive surveys by a technical committee of environmentalists, conservationists, and hospitality experts.
The finalized selection spans the country’s vast geographic and cultural contrasts, ranging from the rugged alpine microclimates of the northern Kurdistan Region to the historic wetlands of the south:
Abdel-Redha explained that the baseline motivation behind entering the UN competition extends far beyond winning a global title; rather, it aims to institutionalize rigorous international criteria inside rural communities.