Pissouri Named Among World’s Top Villages of 2024

Pissouri has been recognised by the World Tourism Organization for its high-quality touristic offering and contribution to sustainable development.

Columbia Beach Resort welcomes the monumental news that Pissouri, alongside Troodos’ Kalopanagiotis, are being celebrated by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as being among the best tourist destinations in the world for 2024.

Under the umbrella of the UNWTO’s ‘Best Tourist Villages’ initiative, aimed at elevating rural communities onto the worldwide stage of quality touristic destinations, Pissouri is being recognised for its efforts to preserve local traditions, protect its landscapes, invigorate economic growth, spearhead cultural diversity, and enrich the quality of life for its inhabitants.

Prior to being honoured with this title, Pissouri was included in the UNWTO’s ‘Best Tourist Villages Upgrade Programme’, which aimed to aid villages enhance their infrastructure, services and sustainability by fast-tracking their applications and the necessary ameliorative procedures.

Now in its fourth year, the ‘Best Tourist Villages’ programme received 260 applications from over 60 countries, with only 55 villages securing a spot on the prestigious list thanks, in part, for their exceptional contributions to tourism and community development.

Indeed, Pissouri and Kalopanagiotis landed in the top seven villages, classified as ‘outstanding’.

With tourism serving as a crucial cornerstone of rural communities’ ability to thrive, UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili praised the initiative for how it highlights the potential of tourism to drive change through sustainable practices: “By capitalising on their unique strengths, these communities can promote economic growth, foster local traditions and improve the quality of life of their residents,” Pololikashvili explains.

Of this historic recognition, Anthea Vikis, Marketing Manager of Columbia Beach Resort, shares: “The name Columbia has become synonymous with Pissouri. The only five-star resort of its kind in the area, and intricately linked with the village’s development since our founding here in the 1980s, our staff feel a sincere kinship with Pissouri: we celebrate and protect its unique landscape, we empower its local community, and we showcase its history and culture.”

Ms. Vikis concludes: “We respect Pissouri as being central to the heart of our legacy. We share our history and the potential of our futures. We will not be idle in this journey, but rather continue to support and promote our home village every step of the way.”

It is also wonderful news that both “Best Tourist Villages” include a Small Luxury Hotels of the World property; Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri and Casale Panayiotis in Kalopanagiotis.