UNWTO names Gujarat's Dhordo as 'best tourism village' of 2023

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) included the region in the list of  Best Tourism Villages 2023.

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

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 villages were named during the UNWTO General Assembly, taking place this week in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

"Tourism can be a powerful force for inclusivity, empowering local communities and distributing benefits across regions," emphasizes UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. "This initiative acknowledges villages that have harnessed tourism as a catalyst for their development and well-being."

Indian PM Narendra Modi appreciated the move and wished the region attracts more tourists visiting it from across the globe.

" Absolutely thrilled to see Dhordo in Kutch being celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. This honour not only showcases the potential of Indian tourism but also the dedication of the people of Kutch in particular," Modi wrote on X.

"May Dhordo continue to shine and attract visitors from around the world!" he said. "I’m sharing some memories of my visits to Dhordo in 2009 and 2015. I also invite you all to share your memories from your previous visits to Dhordo. This will inspire more people to visit. And, don’t forget to use #AmazingDhordo," Modi said.

Dhordo is a small village located in Kutch district of Gujarat.

This village is situated within Bhuj taluk on the edge of the India-Pakistan border and is around 86 km from Bhuj.

The village is home to an annual 3-month festival called 'Rann Utsav'.