Dhordo, Gujarat Earns UNWTO's Top Tourism Village Honors; PM Modi Commends Achievement

In a significant achievement, Dhordo, a picturesque village in Gujarat, has earned recognition as the "best tourism village" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This international accolade comes as a testament to the village's exceptional cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elated by this honour, commended Dhordo's potential to captivate visitors worldwide.

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In a significant achievement, Dhordo, a picturesque village in Gujarat, has earned recognition as the "best tourism village" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This international accolade comes as a testament to the village's exceptional cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elated by this honour, commended Dhordo's potential to captivate visitors worldwide.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also acknowledged PM Modi's efforts in transforming Dhordo into a world-class tourism destination. The village recently hosted the inaugural Tourism Working Group Meeting of the G20 during India's presidency of this influential international group. This recognition is a testimony to villages leading in nurturing rural regions, conserving landscapes, upholding cultural diversity, safeguarding local values, and celebrating culinary traditions.

The UNWTO introduced the "Best Tourism Villages" initiative in 2021 as a vital part of their "Tourism for Rural Development" program, promoting sustainable tourism practices. Now in its third edition, this initiative selected 54 villages from diverse regions out of nearly 260 applications. The announcement took place during the UNWTO General Assembly held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 16 to 20.

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Apart from Dhordo, other villages celebrated for their achievements include Barrancas in Chile, Biei in Japan, Cantavieja in Spain, Dahshour in Egypt, Dongbaek in the Republic of Korea, Douma in Lebanon, Ericeira in Portugal, and Filandia in Colombia, among others. Villages newly participating in the Upgrade Program this year include Asuka in Japan, Baos de Montemayor in Spain, Bilebante in Indonesia, Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy, El Cisne in Ecuador, and Iza in Colombia.

The recognition is based on the evaluation of nine key areas, including cultural and natural resources, the promotion and conservation of cultural resources, economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and tourism development. The UNWTO's "Best Tourism Villages" initiative celebrates rural tourism destinations that possess accredited cultural and natural assets, a strong commitment to preserving community-based values, and a clear dedication to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Dhordo's achievement is a source of pride for India and a testament to its growing prominence on the global tourism stage.