The announcement was made during the General Assembly and the Executive Committee Meeting of the World Tourism Organization, which takes place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, until Friday, which awarded other locations.

In a statement, the authority informs that the seal, which will be in force for three years, distinguishes the best rural destinations worldwide, promoting the transformative role of tourism in these territories through sustainability strategies aligned with the Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

The four Portuguese towns and villages that were distinguished were Ericeira in the municipality of Mafra, in the district of Lisbon, Madalena in the municipality of Madalena, Pico island, in the Azores archipelago, Manteigas in the district of Guarda and the Historical Village of Sortelha in the municipality of Sabugal, located in the district of Guarda.

“This distinction, awarded by one of the most relevant tourist entities in the world, highlights the excellence of national tourism, the interior of the country and differentiating tourist offers”, highlighted the Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services, Nuno Fazenda, quoted in a statement sent to the Lusa agency.

For the government official, these awards are “an international recognition of the sustainability and authenticity of Portuguese tourism, which is important to continue to ensure and enhance”.

For the president of the Aldeias Históricas de Portugal Tourist Development Association, Carlos Ascensão, the recognition “once again demonstrates the merit of the work developed by Aldeias Históricas”.

“It is with great joy that we receive this distinction, which recognises our association's strategy of making this territory genuinely sustainable and innovative, based on the concept of green, inclusive, and intelligent growth, with the capacity to enhance integrated local development, and differentiating itself as an 'innovation leader' within low-density territories”, added Carlos Ascensão, said in a note sent to the Lusa agency.

The World Tourism Organisation highlighted those distinguished as locations “genuinely committed to the promotion and preservation of their cultural and historical legacy, and promoters of sustainable tourism”, as referred to by Historic Villages.

Sortelha is the third Historical Village in Portugal to be awarded the “Best Tourist Village” seal, after Castelo Rodrigo, in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, having won in 2021, and Castelo Novo, in the municipality of Fundão, having won the same award in 2022.

Cumeada, in the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, district of Évora, was also distinguished in 2021.