Sauris is
On March 14, 2023, in Al’Ula, Saudi Arabia, the community of Sauris-Zahre represented by deputy mayor, Alessandro Colle, received an award given to the 32 “Best Tourism Villages” selected internationally by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
This is the most prestigious award in the field of rural and sustainable tourism, and is awarded, after a lengthy selection process, to those villages that, globally, “are exceptional examples of rural tourism destinations, endowed with accredited cultural and natural assets, which preserve and promote values, products and lifestyles based on local community development and demonstrate a clear commitment to innovation and economic, social and environmental sustainability.”
From “Project Sauris” to “Best Tourism Village”
The United Nations award recognizes and encourages Sauris’ vocation as a sustainable tourism destination, offering visibility and authority to a journey that began more than forty years ago.
The same principles, that in the 1980s led the then mayor, architect Pietro Gremese to create the first “Development Plan of the Municipality of Sauris” (better known as “Sauris Project“) to revitalize the area severely impacted by the ’76 earthquake, continue today to inspire the local community in its tourism development project, seen as an opportunity for sustainable local growth.
Tourism as key to Territorial Development
The purpose of the “Best Tourism Villages” award is not only to recognize and enhance the value of exceptional small destinations, but also to encourage programs for the protection and development of small rural communities, offering tourism a key role in the creation of new growth opportunities and encouraging investment in economic, social and environmental sustainability, in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations Agenda 2030.
These are objectives that Sauris is perfectly embracing with the shared commitment of the municipal administration, citizens, and businesses in promoting tourism that improves the quality of life for residents, creates sustainable jobs, and, at the same time, preserves and enhances the territory from a cultural and environmental perspective.
A shared path towards sustainability
The challenge is to offer travel proposals perfectly aligned with the core principles of sustainability, 365 days a year, in order to expand the possibilities for the fulfillment of the territory. Moreover, it involves designing authentic tourism experiences that engage the community and enhance the peculiarities of the area.
The recognition of Best Tourism Village represents a new stage in the path of sustainable development of the Sauris destination, in which you too can play an active part by choosing to share and experience firsthand our philosophy of respect for the environment, people and culture.
