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The ‘Best Tourism Village Competition’ is Here — Has Your Village Participated?

To give a push to the rural economy, the Ministry of Tourism announced the competition to choose the best village in the tourism category, based on a set of parameters. The last date for online application submission is April 15. Details here.
GovernmentofIndia

Does tourism mean fancy hotels and gourmet meals to you? Or does it conjure up idyllic villages amidst hills, mustard fields and gurgling rivulets?

Rural tourism is picking up fast with a large number of visitors wanting to explore the hinterlands, rural culture and village life. The Government of India has recently launched an initiative to showcase the villages of the country and encourage tourists to take a dip into their elaborate culture, cuisine and lifestyle.

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The Ministry of Tourism has announced a competition to recognise and award the best tourism village in the country based on a set of parameters. The competition seeks to honour a village that best exemplifies a tourism destination with renowned cultural and natural assets, preserves and promotes community-based values, goods, and lifestyles, and has a clear commitment to sustainability.

Additionally, it will focus on villages with the overarching goal of making tourism one of the drivers of positive change, development, and community well-being.

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Eligibility and Selection Criteria

The tourism ministry has invited applications from all States and Union Territories of India. The village must have a low population density, not exceeding 25,000 inhabitants. It also must be located in a radius of attractive tourist destinations.

Recognising the potential for rural tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism, in 2021, had formulated a national strategy and roadmap for the same.

Recognising the potential for rural tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism, in 2021, had formulated a national strategy and roadmap for the same.

Having traditional activities including agriculture, craft, cuisine and history of community values, would also be an eligibility criteria to participate in the competition.

The ministry is considering only online application forms, last date of submission being April 15, 2023. All the applications are to be submitted in English only.

The areas of evaluation will be:

Cultural and Natural Resources;

Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources;

Economic Sustainability;

Social Sustainability;

Environmental Sustainability;

Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration;

Governance and Prioritization of Tourism; Infrastructure and Connectivity;

Health, Safety and Security.

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The submissions will primarily be evaluated by the district tourism authorities. Each district is to select three best villages based on the set criteria.

This will then be forwarded to the state authorities, who will evaluate and review all the submissions. The best three contenders selected by the state will be considered on a national level. Finally, the central body of tourism will choose the winner. There is no monetary compensation but a national-level recognition is being offered to the winning village.

Tourism: A key to better economy

Recognising the potential for rural tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism, in 2021, had formulated a national strategy and roadmap for the same. Taking cognisance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for self-reliance or Atma Nirbhar India, the Ministry of Tourism had established that developing a rural economy and creating jobs and opportunities in rural areas is essential to establish an Atma Nirbhar country.

Also Read: Rural getaways for a rejuvenating experience

Furthermore, this roadmap recognised the potential of rural tourism citing its strengths. The prominent ones were unparalleled culture, craft, music, dance and heritage to offer, beautiful climatic conditions and biodiversity and potential for eco-tourism.

Interested in sending your village’s entry in the competition? Register here.

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