Friday, September 20, 2024 The Union Tourism Ministry is set to honor four villages in Uttarakhand with the prestigious ‘Best Tourism Village’ Award during a special ceremony in New Delhi on September 27, coinciding with International Tourism Day. This recognition highlights the villages’ exceptional contributions to promoting rural tourism and their commitment to preserving local culture and natural resources. The award is part of the ministry’s annual nationwide ‘Best Tourism Village’ competition, which celebrates rural destinations that excel in sustainable tourism practices.
The competition evaluates participating villages based on a comprehensive set of criteria. These include efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage, sustainable use of natural resources, community engagement, and the implementation of initiatives that ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability. This rigorous evaluation process aims to identify and reward villages that not only attract tourists but also maintain the integrity and authenticity of their local traditions and environment.
This year, four villages from Uttarakhand stood out and were selected for the honor. The selection reflects the growing recognition of Uttarakhand’s potential as a leading destination for rural and sustainable tourism. An official from the state tourism department credited Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s vision for establishing Uttarakhand as a premier tourism destination, noting.