Spain, world capital of rural tourism: The Federation of the World's Most Beautiful Villages elects new president and protects its heritage in Cadiz

THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES MAKE SPAIN THE EPICENTER OF GLOBAL RURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION

• Castellar de la Frontera (Cádiz) is hosting the General Assembly of the World Federation, with delegations from the leading tourism destinations in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

• The federation establishes an International Quality Commission and a major traveling global competition to be held in capitals such as Madrid, Paris, Rome, and Tokyo.

• Swiss national Kevin Quatropanni is elected the organization’s new president at a pivotal meeting that has shielded the rural environment from the uncontrolled impact of renewable energy.

Castellar de la Frontera, Cádiz.– Spain has today become the world capital of rural tourism excellence. The Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages in the World (Les Plus Beaux Villages de la Terre) held a momentous General Assembly in the Cadiz municipality of Castellar de la Frontera, bringing together official delegations from France, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, China, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lebanon, Germany, and Spain, as well as featuring the special participation, as guests, of the Historic Villages of Portugal.

This international gathering consolidates the federation’s standing as the definitive global body for the defense, promotion, and preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the world’s most outstanding rural areas.

A major global event in the world’s leading capitals

Among the historic agreements reached during the assembly, the creation of a global Quality Commission stands out—a rigorous body that will unify the criteria of excellence that municipalities must meet to bear this prestigious international seal.

Likewise, the launch of an international traveling contest and event for the Most Beautiful Villages has been approved, which will bring the magic of the rural world directly to the heart of the world’s major metropolises. The first editions are planned for capitals such as Madrid, Paris, Rome, and Tokyo. This competition will not only reward architectural and scenic beauty but will also become a grand living showcase where gastronomy, ancient traditions, and—most notably—the residents of the most beautiful villages on the planet—with a strong and prominent representation of Spanish villages—will be the absolute stars.

New Leadership and Protection of the Rural Environment

The General Assembly also marked the beginning of a new institutional era with the appointment of Kevin Quatropanni as the new president of the World Federation. Quatropanni, who until now led the association in Switzerland, takes office with a firm commitment to projecting the brand globally and defending the interests of member municipalities.

Under his new leadership, the federation has addressed debates of enormous socioeconomic and environmental significance. As a priority, it has analyzed the impact of the deployment of wind and solar energy infrastructure in rural areas. International delegations have agreed on the urgent need to reconcile the energy transition with the protection of the traditional landscape and historical heritage, calling for regulations that prevent the deployment of renewables from destroying the aesthetic and cultural value that gives life to these municipalities.

Cádiz as an International Showcase

The choice of the province of Cádiz as the venue for this meeting was no accident. Following the intensive working sessions in Castellar de la Frontera, the international delegations will continue on a technical and institutional tour to experience firsthand the “Spanish model” of conservation and sustainable tourism.

Over the next few days, the global representatives will visit some of the municipalities in Cádiz that are part of the national association—international benchmarks for beauty and heritage management—such as Vejer de la Frontera, Zahara de la Sierra, Grazalema, and Setenil de las Bodegas.

For more information and interview requests:

Communications Office - Assembly of the Most Beautiful Towns in the World

Contact number: 937133366.

Press: prensa@lospueblosmasbonitosdeespana.org