• The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has announced its list of Best Tourism Villages 2023.

• Dhordo village in Gujarat has found its way into the list of 54 Best Tourism Villages announced by UNWTO.

• The villages were named during the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

• The accolade recogonises villages that are leading in nurturing rural areas and preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values, and culinary traditions.

• In 2021, Pochampally village in Telangana was selected as one of the Best Tourism Villages.

Dhordo village

• Dhordo in the Rann of Kutch is the venue of ‘Rann Utsav’ organised annually from November-December to February. This festival is also known as the ‘White Desert Festival’. Rann Utsav extends over three months, bringing together local artisans, performers, musicians and folk artists.

• The village faces environmental and geographic extremities making development in the area extremely challenging. The Bhuj earthquake of 2001 devastated this village even more. 

• Tourism was launched through ‘Rann Utsav’, whereby a special tent city was created in the desertic land with all the necessary amenities made available to tourists. It is during these three months that the village comes to life displaying all the natural and cultural resources/products to its consumers. 

Best Tourism Villages initiative

• 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.

As in previous editions, the villages are evaluated under nine key areas:

i) Cultural and Natural Resources

ii) Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources

iii) Economic Sustainability

iv) Social Sustainability

v) Environmental Sustainability

vi) Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration

vii) Governance and Prioritisation of Tourism

viii) Infrastructure and Connectivity

ix) Health, Safety, and Security.

• 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 Network enlarges every year and aims at becoming the largest global rural network. With the announcement today of these 74 new members, 190 villages are now part of this unique Network.

• In addition to Dhordo, some of the other villages that have featured in the this year’s list include Barrancas in Chile, Biei in Japan, Cantavieja in Spain, Dahshour in Egypt, Dongbaek in South Korea, Douma in Lebanon, Ericeira in Portugal and Filandia in Colombia.

• Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO recognises outstanding rural tourism destinations with accredited cultural and natural assets, a commitment to preserving community-based values, and a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

• Best Tourism Villages by the UNWTO Upgrade Programme supports villages on their journey to meet recognition criteria, helping in areas identified as gaps during evaluation.

What is the purpose of UNWTO?

• The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

• It was established in 1974 and the headquarters is situated in Madrid. 

• UNWTO’s membership includes 159 countries, six associate members and over 500 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

• As the leading international organisation in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. 

• UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, to maximise tourism’s socio-economic contribution while minimising its possible negative impacts, and is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development worldwide.

• UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world.

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