Best Tourism Villages in India 2024

Table of Contents

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, launched the Best Tourism Villages Competition in 2023 to promote rural tourism and highlight the “Soul of India” by recognizing villages that excel in preserving cultural and natural assets. These villages showcase sustainable tourism practices, community-based development, and a commitment to protecting the environment while offering unique experiences for travelers. On World Tourism Day 2024 (27th September), the winners of the second edition of this competition were announced, with 36 villages from across 30 States and Union Territories being recognized in various categories, including Adventure Tourism, Agri Tourism, Craft, Heritage, Responsible Tourism, and more. Let’s check the best tourism villages in India which were awarded by the Indian Govt in 2023 and 2024. In this article, we will also discuss the villages in India that have been recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as Best Tourism Villages and those selected for the Upgrade Programme. This will provide a clearer understanding of the rural tourism destinations in India, showcasing their unique cultural, natural, and sustainable tourism practices.

Each winning village stands out for its distinctive offerings, from adventure and eco-tourism to spiritual retreats and traditional crafts, making them important destinations that exemplify India’s diverse cultural and natural heritage. These villages serve as models of sustainable tourism development, creating economic opportunities for local communities while offering travelers authentic, immersive experiences.

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UNWTO: Best Tourism Villages in India

Here’s the table with insights and information on Indian villages recognized under the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Initiative and Upgrade Programme:

Year	Village	Recognition and Highlights
2021	Pochampally, Telangana	Recognized as the Best Tourism Village for its unique Ikat textiles and handloom heritage, earning it the title “Silk City of India.” It highlights the harmony of traditional crafts with sustainable tourism.
2021	Kongthong, Meghalaya	Awarded the Best Tourism Village, this “Whistling Village” is famous for its unique tradition of individual whistling tunes (jingrwai lawbei) used as personal identifiers for residents. It emphasizes the conservation of intangible cultural heritage.
2022	Khonoma, Nagaland	Selected for the UNWTO Upgrade Programme, Khonoma is celebrated as Asia’s first green village for its pioneering conservation efforts like the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary, which protects biodiversity and promotes eco-tourism.
2023	Dhordo, Gujarat	Recognized as the Best Tourism Village, Dhordo is the gateway to the Rann of Kutch and is famous for its Rann Utsav, showcasing the vibrant art, crafts, and culture of Gujarat, alongside its unique white desert landscape.
2023	Madla, Madhya Pradesh	Selected for the UNWTO Upgrade Programme, located near Panna National Park, Madla focuses on integrating wildlife tourism with rural sustainability and local community participation.
2024	Dhudmaras, India	Selected for the UNWTO Upgrade Programme, this village is working to improve rural tourism infrastructure and sustainability, showcasing India’s commitment to the initiative.

Best Tourism Villages in India, 2024

State-Level Finalists for Best Tourism Villages in India 2024:

The following table highlights the state-level finalists from across India, representing the diverse cultural and ecological richness of the nation’s rural landscape:

State/UT	Finalist Village	Key Features
Lakshadweep	Kadmat	Pristine beaches, marine biodiversity
Jharkhand	Amadubi	Traditional arts and crafts
Goa	Bandora	Spiritual and wellness tourism
Odisha	Bhetnoi	Blackbuck Sanctuary, wildlife tourism
Himachal Pradesh	Bhoj Jabial	Mountain village experiences
Himachal Pradesh	Bir Khas	Paragliding, adventure tourism
Andaman & Nicobar	Chaura	Coral formations, hilltop views
Uttarakhand	Choti Haldwani	Connection to Jim Corbett, wildlife tourism
Gujarat	Dandi	Historical significance (Salt March)
Jammu & Kashmir	Dhar Vaishno Devi	Pilgrimage tourism
Dadra & Nagar Haveli	Dudhani	Serene landscapes, water-based activities
Andhra Pradesh	Etikoppaka	Traditional wooden toy craftsmanship
Andhra Pradesh	Gandikota	Known as the “Grand Canyon of India”
Goa	Goltim Navelim	Cultural and religious heritage
Chhattisgarh	Joratarai	Tribal culture and traditions
Maharashtra	Khokara	Eco-friendly rural tourism
Kerala	Kulasekharamangalam	Backwater experiences and cultural festivals
West Bengal	Kultajpur	Historical significance and heritage tourism
Bihar	Kurhua	Agri-tourism and eco-friendly farming practices
Uttarakhand	Liti Village	Adventure tourism, trekking
Odisha	Maniabandha	Handloom and textile crafts
Arunachal Pradesh	Manyuliang	Indigenous culture and scenic beauty
Meghalaya	Mawlynnong	Asia’s cleanest village, eco-tourism
Meghalaya	Mawphlang	Sacred groves and heritage tourism
Arunachal Pradesh	Nisangram	Vibrant traditions and scenic landscapes
Nagaland	Samparidisa	Traditional Naga culture and crafts
Jammu & Kashmir	Sanasar	Paragliding and adventure activities
Gujarat	Sasan	Wildlife tourism, Gir National Park
Maharashtra	Sawarvan	Agricultural and eco-friendly tourism
Karnataka	Sirsi	Lush forests, waterfalls
Nagaland	Sukhai Village	Traditional craftsmanship and rural heritage
West Bengal	Tarapith	Spiritual tourism
Jammu & Kashmir	Teetwal Village	Scenic village near the Line of Control
Arunachal Pradesh	Tippi	Orchidarium and biodiversity
Chhattisgarh	Tirathgarh	Famous for its waterfalls and scenic beauty
Dadra & Nagar Haveli	Zolawadi	Cultural heritage and serene landscapes

Best Tourism Village in India 2024 Award Recipients:

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, announced the winners of the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024 on World Tourism Day, 27th September 2024.

The second edition of the competition in 2024 saw participation from 991 villages across 30 States and Union Territories (UTs). A total of 36 villages were recognized across eight categories, emphasizing diverse aspects of tourism such as adventure, agriculture, heritage, crafts, community-based, and spiritual tourism.

Village Name, State/UT	Category	Highlights, Attractions, and Why Famous
Dhudmaras, Chhattisgarh	Adventure Tourism	Famous for its thrilling adventure activities, trekking, and natural beauty.
Aru, Jammu & Kashmir	Adventure Tourism	Known for scenic landscapes, trekking trails, and as a base for the Kolahoi Glacier.
Kuthlur, Karnataka	Adventure Tourism	Offers unique trekking experiences and lush green landscapes.
Jakhol, Uttarakhand	Adventure Tourism	Popular for trekking routes leading to unexplored trails and rich wildlife.
Kumarakom, Kerala	Agri Tourism	Famous for its backwaters, rice paddies, and bird sanctuaries.
Karde, Maharashtra	Agri Tourism	Known for lush farmlands and agritourism experiences like farm stays and activities.
Hansali, Punjab	Agri Tourism	Offers rural tourism experiences focused on traditional Punjabi agriculture.
Supi, Uttarakhand	Agri Tourism	Known for its organic farming and beautiful views of the Himalayas.
Baranagar, West Bengal	Agri Tourism	Famous for rural life, agriculture, and unique cultural traditions.
Chitrakote, Chhattisgarh	Community-Based Tourism	Famous for the Chitrakote Falls, known as the ‘Niagara of India’.
Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep	Community-Based Tourism	Known for its beautiful lagoons, traditional culture, and coral reefs.
Sialsuk, Mizoram	Community-Based Tourism	Offers a rich tribal culture and scenic viewpoints over the hills.
Alpana Gram, Tripura	Community-Based Tourism	Known for its traditional handicrafts and local cultural experiences.
Deomali, Rajasthan	Community-Based Tourism	Famous for sustainable tourism efforts and local handicrafts.
Sualkuchi, Assam	Craft	Known for silk weaving and as Assam’s ‘Silk Village’.
Pranpur, Madhya Pradesh	Craft	Famous for textile crafts, including Chanderi weaving.
Umden, Meghalaya	Craft	Known for Eri silk weaving and indigenous crafts.
Maniabandha, Odisha	Craft	Famous for handloom weaving, particularly the unique ‘Maniabandha sarees’.
Nirmal, Telangana	Craft	Known for Nirmal paintings and traditional wooden toys.
Hafeshwar, Gujarat	Heritage	Famous for its ancient temples and historical architecture.
Andro, Manipur	Heritage	Known for traditional pottery and tribal cultural heritage.
Mawphlang, Meghalaya	Heritage	Famous for sacred groves and Khasi culture.
Keeladi, Tamil Nadu	Heritage	Known for archaeological finds from the Sangam era, representing Tamil heritage.
Pura Mahadev, Uttar Pradesh	Heritage	Famous for its ancient Shiva temple and religious significance.
Dudhani, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	Responsible Tourism	Promotes sustainable tourism with focus on eco-friendly practices.
Kadalundi, Kerala	Responsible Tourism	Famous for the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary and its focus on sustainable tourism.
Tar Village, Ladakh	Responsible Tourism	Known for eco-tourism initiatives and cultural experiences with local communities.
Sabarvani, Madhya Pradesh	Responsible Tourism	Focuses on eco-tourism and sustainability in village life.
Ladpura Khas, Madhya Pradesh	Responsible Tourism	Recognized for its sustainable village tourism model.
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh	Spiritual and Wellness	Famous for the ancient Narasimha temples and religious pilgrimages.
Bandora, Goa	Spiritual and Wellness	Known for its temples and spiritual heritage, particularly the Shri Mahalasa temple.
Rikhiapeeth, Jharkhand	Spiritual and Wellness	Famous for yoga and spiritual retreats.
Melkalingam Patti, Tamil Nadu	Spiritual and Wellness	Known for ancient temples and spiritual tourism.
Somasila, Telangana	Spiritual and Wellness	Famous for the Someshwara Temple and serene river views.
Harsil, Uttarakhand	Vibrant Village	Known for its apple orchards and picturesque views of the Himalayas.
Gunji, Uttarakhand	Vibrant Village	Famous for its location along the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route.

This table now displays the villages with their respective categories, highlights, and why they are famous.

Best Tourism Village in India 2023 Edition

Here’s a table summarizing the 35 villages recognized in the Best Tourism Village Competition 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism, India:

Category	Village	State/UT
Gold	Dawar	Jammu & Kashmir
	Kanthalloor	Kerala
	Madla	Madhya Pradesh
	Reiek	Mizoram
	Sarmoli	Uttarakhand
Silver	Lepakshi	Andhra Pradesh
	Shergaon	Arunachal Pradesh
	Kurauana	Uttar Pradesh
	Sarodhadadar	Chhattisgarh
	Hemis	Ladakh
	Kalpeni	Lakshadweep
	Khijadia	Gujarat
	Raghurajpur	Odisha
	Menar	Rajasthan
	Pembarthy	Telangana
Bronze	Talao	Haryana
	Chhitkul	Himachal Pradesh
	McCluskieganj	Jharkhand
	Hampi	Karnataka
	Khokhara	Madhya Pradesh
	Patgaon	Maharashtra
	Kongthong	Meghalaya
	Diezephe	Nagaland
	Thirunallar	Puducherry
	Nawanpind Sardaran	Punjab
	Naurangabad-Shree Mahaveerji	Rajasthan
	Kitam	Sikkim
	Vettaikaranpudur	Tamil Nadu
	Ullada	Tamil Nadu
	Chandlapur	Telangana
	Vidyasagar	Tripura
	Kiriteswari	West Bengal
	Biswanath Ghat	Assam
	Devka	Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu
	Cotigao	Goa

These villages were selected across various categories such as Heritage, Agri Tourism, Craft, Responsible Tourism, Adventure Tourism, and Community-Based Tourism, showcasing their natural, cultural, and sustainable tourism potential.