Archive · 30 Oct 2025
Israel's Neot Semadar Recognized by UN Tourism for Sustainable Village Award
Imagine a special village in the desert in Israel called Neot Semadar.
It's a place where people live together and try to be very kind to nature and their community.
They have an art center, grow organic grapes for wine, have a place to eat, and even offer a chance to look at the stars.
Because they do such a good job taking care of the environment and their culture, a big world organization called UN Tourism has chosen them as one of the best villages in the world for tourism in 2025.
This means other places can learn from them how to be good tourist spots that are also eco-friendly.
It's like Neot Semadar won an award for being a great, sustainable desert home and visitor spot.
Kibbutz Neot Semadar in Israel’s Southern Arava has been named one of the UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages for 2025.
The village was recognized for its excellence in sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and innovation.
Neot Semadar is an ecological cooperative community founded in 1989, with around 250 residents and volunteers.
Attractions include an Art Center, organic winery, local café, eco-lodging, and stargazing opportunities.
This marks Israel's second inclusion on the UN Tourism list, following Kfar Kama in 2022.
- Who
- Kibbutz Neot Semadar, an ecological cooperative community in Israel’s Southern Arava
- What
- Included in the UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages Network for 2025
- When
- October 17 (announcement), for 2025 list
- Where
- China (ceremony), Southern Arava, Israel (village)
- Why
- For excelling in sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and innovation.
- Location
- Southern Arava, Israel
- Community Type
- Ecological cooperative community (Kibbutz)
- Founded
- 1989
- Population
- Approx. 250 residents and volunteers
- Award
- UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages Network 2025
- Recognition Criteria
- Sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, innovation, ecological, social, and economic sustainability