Gujarat's Dhordo Awarded UNWTO's Best Tourism Village 2023
The beautiful village of Dhordo in Gujarat has garnered international recognition after it secured a place on the list of the 54 best tourism villages announced by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight at the recognition of Dhordo as the “best tourism village.” He lauded the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of the village and emphasized its potentials to attract visitors from around the world. Union Home Minister Amit Shah celebrated the achievement, acknowledging the PM’s efforts to transform the area into a world-class tourism site.
Dhordo village situated in the heart of Gujarat, has come a long way to earn its place on the global stage as a premier tourism destination. It recently hosted the inaugural Tourism Working Group Meeting of the G20, during India’s presidency of the influential group. This gathering of global leaders in the enchanting landscapes of Dhordo showcased the village’s capacity to host international events and highlighted its growing importance in the world of tourism.
The UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages 2023 accolade is a tribute to villages leading the way in nurturing rural regions, preserving landscapes, upholding cultural diversity, safeguarding local values, and celebrating culinary traditions. Launched in 2021, this initiative is a vital component of the UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Development program, which aims to promote sustainable tourism practices.
In its third edition, the UNWTO’s initiative selected 54 villages from diverse regions out of nearly 260 applications. The announcement was made during the UNWTO General Assembly held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 16 to 20, where leaders and experts gathered to discuss the future of global tourism.
Alongside Dhordo, several other villages from around the world achieved recognition, including 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.
The villages recognized by UNWTO are evaluated across nine key areas, including cultural and natural resources, the promotion and conservation of cultural resources, economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and tourism development.
These criteria ensure that recognized villages are not just beautiful destinations but also places where the local culture and environment are preserved and where tourism benefits the entire community.
The initiative recognizes villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being. Dhordo’s inclusion in this prestigious list signifies not only its natural beauty and cultural richness but also its commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
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