A few days ago, Spain became 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 landmark General Assembly in the Cádiz municipality of Castellar de la Frontera, bringing together official delegations from France, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, China, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon, Germany and Spain. Mayor Gemma Pacheco attended the event in her role as president of the Central Zone of Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España.

The event, held from 20 to 24 May, enjoyed the strategic institutional support of the Diputación de Cádiz and the Regional Government of Andalusia, two key administrations in showcasing the region’s tourism potential and heritage management model on a global stage.

Among the historic agreements reached during the assembly, one of the most significant was the creation of a worldwide Quality Commission, a rigorous body that will unify the excellence criteria municipalities must meet in order to hold this prestigious international distinction.

The launch of an international travelling competition and event for the Most Beautiful Villages was also approved. This initiative will bring the charm and magic of the rural world directly to the heart of major global cities. The first editions are planned for leading capitals such as Madrid, Paris, Rome and Tokyo.

The General Assembly also marked the beginning of a new institutional chapter with the appointment of Kevin Quatropanni as the new president of the World Federation. Under his leadership, the federation addressed major socioeconomic and environmental issues. A key priority was the analysis of the impact of wind and solar energy infrastructure in rural settings. The international delegations agreed on the urgent need to make the energy transition compatible with the protection of traditional landscapes and historic heritage, calling for regulations to ensure that the deployment of renewable energy does not undermine the aesthetic and cultural value that brings these villages to life.