Best Tourism Villages Competition-2024 Winner Revealed By Ministry

The Ministry of Tourism in Government of India announced the winners of the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024 on the occasion of World Tourism Day 2024. This award competition was the 2nd edition since its launching.

What is it?

• The Best Tourism Villages Competition seeks to honor a village that best exemplifies a rural tourism destination. 
• It showcases the renowned cultural and natural assets, preserves and promotes community-based values, goods, and lifestyles of the villages in India. 
• It promotes the commitment of the villages towards sustainability in all of its aspects – economic, social, and environmental.

Goal

• Its goal is to make tourism one of the drivers of positive change, rural development, and community well-being.

Objectives of the Competition

• Reduce disparities between development of rural tourism destinations.
• Progress in empowering the rural population.
• Enhance attraction capability and encourage rural change.
• Strengthen multi-level governance, collaborations, and community engagement.
• Boost connection, infrastructure, financial access, and investment. Advancement and digitalization.
• Develop new products and integrate value chains.
• Promote the connection between resilient, equitably distributed, and sustainable food systems and tourism.
• Increase the conservation of natural and cultural resources.
• Encourage sustainable methods to make better use of resources, reduce emissions, and reduce waste.

Background

• The first edition of the Best Tourism Villages Competition in 2023 saw applications from 795 villages. 
• In the second edition of the Best Tourism Villages Competition, a total of 991 applications were received from 30 States and UTs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Low population density and not exceeding 25,000 inhabitants.
• Located in the radius of famous places, Tourist destinations or landscapes.
• Having Traditional activities including agriculture, craft, cuisine etc.
• Having a history of community values or based on past achievements.

Categories

The award has been given into a total of 8 different categories.

1. Adventure Tourism
2. Agri Tourism
3. Community Based Tourism
4. Craft
5. Heritage
6. Responsible Tourism
7. Spiritual and Wellness
8. Vibrant Village

Winners 

• In the box winners are mentioned category wise from 1 to 36.