The two online courses are part of the UN’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme and are developed to equip those working on rural destinations with knowledge and tools to create more sustainable, inclusive, and community-led tourism experiences.
For the first time ever, UN Tourism has launched a pair of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) dedicated to rural tourism. Available in both English and Spanish, all those who are interested in the subject can follow the courses as of now, and this is free of charge.
We celebrated 52 new #BestTourismVillages by UN Tourism 🌍⁰⁰These remarkable destinations embody the spirit of sustainability, culture, and community that defines the future of tourism.⁰⁰Congratulations to all the villages shaping a more inclusive and resilient rural world. pic.twitter.com/ldBozdo9bW
— Zurab Pololikashvili (@pololikashvili) October 18, 2025
“These MOOCs offer rural communities the tools to discover and make the most of their tourism potential — identifying what makes them unique and designing experiences that are both authentic and sustainable. From strategic planning to product prototyping, the courses empower them to lead their own development journeys. This goes beyond online-learning, it is about helping rural destinations shape their future and thrive on their own terms”, says Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director at UN Tourism.
Two courses, one common goal
Each of the two courses that are currently available focuses on its own subject. On the one hand, ‘Tourism Product Development and Marketing for Rural Areas’ explains rural tourism’s pivotal role in fostering sustainable economic growth. The intricate dynamics of rural tourism will be studied through an analysis of real-world case studies and best practices. Participants will learn how to identify opportunities in rural tourism, engage effectively with stakeholders, and design authentic experiences that highlight local culture and traditions.
The course was designed with destination managers, travel agents, tour operators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, marketers, researchers, government officials, and non-profit professionals who want to develop and promote sustainable rural tourism in mind. Jad Abou Arrage, who holds a Ph.D. in Technological Innovation for Food and Environmental Sciences from the University of Milan in Italy, is in charge of the course content. ‘Tourism Product Development and Marketing for Rural Areas’ has an eight-hour schedule and takes four weeks to complete.
The new generation of #BestTourismVillages by #UNTourism is here — rural destinations redefining sustainability, culture & community empowerment 🌿✨#UNTourismRural #BestTourismVillages2025 #RuralTourism #SustainableTourism@BTV_UNWTO @pololikashvili @ZoritsaUrosevic @scarvao1 pic.twitter.com/H6vR0DjJb9
— UN Tourism (@UNWTO) October 17, 2025
On the other hand, ‘Design Thinking for Rural Tourism Development’ is meant to propose a human-centred, problem-solving approach to address the unique challenges and opportunities in rural tourism. By applying design thinking principles, participants are said to learn how to develop tourism experiences that enhance local economies while preserving cultural and environmental integrity. Five different modules make up the course: Strategic Vision, Tourism Development, Design Thinking, Design Thinking in Action, and Design Thinking for Rural Tourism Development.
🌍 Each year, the story of #ruraldevelopment grows stronger. Countdown to 17 Oct as new #BestTourismVillages join the journey#UNTourismRural #UNTourism pic.twitter.com/DlRsj4So0U
— Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism (@BTV_UNWTO) October 16, 2025
According to UN Tourism, the lesson package was designed especially for rural tourism entrepreneurs, such as homestay operators, farm stay hosts, eco-lodge owners, artisans, farmers, and food producers looking to integrate tourism into their businesses. Community leaders, local government representatives, tourism professionals, and destination managers working on sustainable rural tourism initiatives are also encouraged to take part, yet overall, all those who have an interest into the subject are free to join and learn from instructor Ximena Muñoz Vivas, an economist from the University of Rosario and EXMBA from IE Business School, and a PhD at Complutense. ‘Design Thinking for Rural Tourism Development’ has a 10-hour schedule and takes five weeks to complete.
Both courses take on a comprehensive and hands-on learning journey. The foundations of rural tourism development are explored, and thanks to the marketing and branding tools offered, participants should be able to reach and resonate with relevant audiences upon completion.
