India Celebrates Rural Tourism with Best Villages Awards

Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024 Overview

• Ministry of Tourism announced winners on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2024
• Second edition of the competition received 991 applications from 30 States and UTs
• 36 villages recognized as winners across 8 categories
• Categories include adventure tourism, agri-tourism, heritage, community-based, responsible tourism, spiritual and wellness, craft, and vibrant village
• Competition aims to promote tourism to the "Soul of India" (India's villages)
• Focus on villages preserving cultural and natural assets through community-based values and sustainability

Spotlight on Winning Villages

• Andro Village, Manipur: Won in the Heritage category
  • Recognized for unique cultural heritage and traditional practices
  • Features centuries-old fire worship tradition
  • Attracts international tourists, contributing to local income and employment
  • Villagers actively involved in promoting and sustaining heritage through tourism
• Keeladi, Tamil Nadu: Also won in the Heritage category
  • Recognized for its archaeological significance
  • Ongoing excavations highlight the area's ancient history
  • On-site museum showcases findings to a larger audience
  • Thousands of tourists visit daily

List of Best Tourism Villages Awards 2024

Impact and Significance of the Awards

• Promotes sustainable and community-based tourism in rural areas
• Highlights India's diverse cultural and natural heritage
• Encourages preservation of traditional practices and lifestyles
• Fosters economic development in rural communities through tourism
• Raises awareness of lesser-known destinations across India
• Aligns with government efforts to showcase India's rich history and culture
• Supports the concept of "Dravidian model of government" in states like Tamil Nadu
• Facilitates knowledge sharing and best practices among rural tourism destinations