Andong’s Yekki Village in Dosan-myeon has just been named South Korea’s official nominee for the UN Tourism Organization’s 6th Best Tourism Villages program.
Officials say the selection recognizes Andong’s deep-rooted traditions and forward-thinking sustainable tourism policies as global models.
The Best Tourism Villages program highlights and certifies villages around the world that protect local cultural heritage and natural resources while promoting sustainable community development through tourism.
Following domestic review by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, Yekki Village secured its spot as South Korea’s nominee.
Located in Dosan-myeon, Yekki Village was founded by residents who were displaced when the Andong Dam was built in the 1970s.
Once struggling, the village reinvented itself as an arts-forward community—filled with galleries, murals, and artisan workshops. Residents turned the pain of displacement into creative energy, using art and tourism to revive the local economy and make Yekki a standout example of community-led revitalization.
Andong City officials say they’ll pour their efforts into preparing for the UN Tourism Organization’s final round, aiming to cement the city’s place on the global tourism map. The final decision will be announced at the organization’s official event in the second half of 2026.
A city official called the nomination “a meaningful confirmation that Andong’s traditional values are tourism assets recognized worldwide.” They added, “We will do our utmost to promote Andong’s brand as a global tourist city through to the final selection.”
