Gujarat’s Dhordo village has found place on the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) list of Best Tourism Villages for 2023. The accolade recognises villages that are leading the way in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.
In this third edition 54 villages from all regions were selected from almost 260 applications. A further 20 villages have joined the Upgrade Programme, and all 74 villages are now part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network. The villages were named during the UNWTO General Assembly, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said, “This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being.”
The villages are evaluated under nine key areas like cultural and natural resources, promotion and conservation of cultural resources, economic, social and environmental sustainability, tourism development and value chain integration, infrastructure and connectivity etc.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared pictures of his visits to the village in 2009 and 2015 and said that he is “absolutely thrilled” at the development.
“Absolutely thrilled to see Dhordo in Kutch being celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. This honour not only showcases the potential of Indian tourism but also the dedication of the people of Kutch in particular. May Dhordo continue to shine and attract visitors from around the world,” PM Modi wrote.
Notably, Dhordo village is located in the Great Rann of Kutch. It is well-known for hosting the annual Rann Utsav – a vibrant cultural festival that showcases the traditional art, music and crafts of the region.
Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative is part of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. The programme works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism and encourage sustainable practices.
Villages competing for this prestigious recognition are evaluated in nine key areas:
- Cultural and Natural Resources
- Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
- Economic Sustainability
- Social Sustainability
- Environmental Sustainability
- Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
- Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
- Infrastructure and Connectivity
- Health, Safety, and Security
The Best Tourism Villages initiative consists of three essential components:
- Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO: This category acknowledges rural tourism destinations that possess accredited cultural and natural assets, a steadfast commitment to preserving community-based values, and a clear dedication to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
- Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Upgrade Programme: This program is designed to support villages on their journey towards achieving recognition criteria, offering assistance in areas identified as gaps during the evaluation process.
- The Best Tourism Villages Network: This network acts as a platform for exchanging experiences and sharing best practices. It provides opportunities for learning and collaboration among its members and welcomes contributions from experts, as well as public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism as a driver for rural development.
With each passing year, the network continues to grow, with the goal of becoming the largest global rural network. The announcement of these 74 new members brings the total to 190 villages that are now part of this unique network, further cementing the commitment to promoting rural excellence and sustainable tourism on a global scale.
Best Tourism Villages 2023
List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2023 is as follows (by alphabetic order):
- Al Sela, Jordan
- Barrancas, Chile
- Biei, Japan
- Caleta Tortel, Chile
- Cantavieja, Spain
- Chacas, Peru
- Chavín de Huantar, Peru
- Dahshour, Egypt
- Dhordo, India
- Dongbaek, Republic of Korea
- Douma, Lebanon
- Ericeira, Portugal
- Filandia, Colombia
- Hakuba, Japan
- Higueras, Mexico
- Huangling, China
- Jalpa de Cánovas, Mexico
- Kandovan, Iran
- La Carolina, Argentina
- Lephis Village, Ethiopia
- Lerici, Italy
- Manteigas, Portugal
- Morcote, Switzerland
- Mosan, Republic of Korea
- Oku-Matsushima, Japan
- Omitlán de Juárez, Mexico
- Oñati, Spain
- Ordino, Andorra
- Oyacachi, Ecuador
- Paucartambo, Peru
- Penglipuran, Indonesia
- Pisco Elqui, Chile
- Pozuzo, Peru
- Saint-Ursanne, Switzerland
- Saty, Kazakhstan
- Schladming, Austria
- Sehwa, Republic of Korea
- Sentob, Uzbekistan
- Shirakawa, Japan
- Sigüenza, Spain
- Şirince, Türkiye
- Siwa, Egypt
- Slunj, Croatia
- Sortelha, Portugal
- St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
- Tân Hoá, Viet Nam
- Taquile, Peru
- Tokaj, Hungary
- Văleni, Moldova
- Vila da Madalena, Portugal
- Xiajiang, China
- Zapatoca, Colombia
- Zhagana, China
- Zhujiawan, China
The villages selected to participate in the Upgrade Programme this year are:
- Asuka, Japan
- Baños de Montemayor, Spain
- Bilebante, Indonesia
- Ciocănești, Romania
- Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
- El Cisne, Ecuador
- Iza, Colombia
- Kale Üçağız, Türkiye
- Kemaliye, Türkiye
- Kfar Masaryk, Israel
- Madla, India
- Ounagha, Morocco
- Pela, Indonesia
- Puerto Octay, Chile
- Sabbioneta, Italy
- Saint Catherine, Egypt
- Sarhua, Peru
- Taro, Indonesia
- Vila de Frades, Portugal
- Yanque, Peru
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