UN Tourism Rural Development Conference 2026 scheduled for December 10‑11 in Buenos Aires
The 2nd UN Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development will be held on 10 December 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, followed by the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2026 Ceremony and the 4th Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages Network on 11 December 2026. The events target stakeholders interested in rural tourism, community development and partnership building.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- New conference dates and ceremony announced for December 10‑11 2026
- Timing
- Conference on 10 December 2026, ceremony and network meeting on 11 December 2026
- Who is affected
- Stakeholders, network members and invited participants in rural tourism
The details
- Announced by
- UN Tourism
- Takes effect
- 10 December 2026
- New rule
- The conference will run on 10 December 2026 with a full programme of panels, fireside chats and a Best Tourism Villages ceremony on the following day.
Event Overview
UN Tourism will host the 2nd Tourism for Rural Development Conference in Buenos Aires on 10 December 2026. The theme is “Partnerships for Rural Transformation: Connecting Villages to Value Chains”. The day includes keynote speeches, high‑level panels and sessions on crafts, market access and finance.
The programme continues on 11 December 2026 with the Best Tourism Villages 2026 Ceremony and the 4th Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages Network, providing space for peer learning and future planning.
Program Highlights
Key sessions on 10 December include a ministerial panel on tourism pathways, fireside chats on living heritage and funding, and a discussion on market‑access partnerships. The afternoon features inspirational speeches and a closing session.
- 08:30 Registration; 09:30‑10:00 Welcome remarks
- 10:00‑10:15 Keynote on partnership importance
- 13:45‑14:25 Fireside chat on financing rural tourism
Participation and Registration
Attendance is by invitation for the ceremony and network meeting. Invited participants receive a registration code via email. Other interested parties may express interest by emailing [email protected] with name, title, organization, country and a brief motivation.
Expressions of interest are reviewed for relevance and capacity; they do not guarantee a place. Selected applicants will be sent a code to complete online registration before the capacity limit is reached.
- Expression of interest deadline: 11 December 2026
- Registration is subject to available capacity
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers planning to attend should book flights to Buenos Aires for 9‑12 December 2026 to cover registration and programme days.
- The ceremony and network meeting are invitation‑only; uninvited attendees can still join public sessions on 10 December.
Cost and documents
- No additional conference fee is mentioned; participants must follow registration instructions.
- Invited participants need the registration code provided by UN Tourism; others must submit an expression of interest email.
What you need to do
- Email [email protected] with required details before 11 December 2026 to request participation.
- If an invitation is received, complete the online registration using the provided code before capacity fills.
Who this affects
-
Invited participants
They receive a personal invitation to attend the ceremony and network meeting.
What to do Use the registration code in the invitation to confirm attendance.
-
General public interested in rural tourism
They can express interest to join public sessions of the conference.
What to do Send an expression of interest email with required information.
-
Best Tourism Villages Network members
They are the audience for the 4th Annual Meeting and peer‑learning activities.
What to do Participate in the network meeting after receiving a registration code.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the UN Tourism Rural Development Conference 2026?
The conference takes place on 10 December 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the Palacio Libertad venue.
What events follow the conference on 11 December?
On 11 December 2026 the Best Tourism Villages 2026 Ceremony and the 4th Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages Network are held in Buenos Aires.
How can I attend the conference if I am not invited?
You can submit an expression of interest to [email protected] with your details; the organisers will review it and may provide a registration code if capacity allows.
Is there a fee to register for the conference or ceremony?
The source does not mention any fee; participants must follow the registration process outlined by UN Tourism.
What is the deadline to express interest in attending?
Expressions of interest must be sent by 11 December 2026, after which selected applicants will receive a registration code.
