Dhordo village of Gujarat

21.10.2023

Dhordo village of Gujarat   ,  Daily Current Affairs , RACE IAS : Best IAS Coaching in Lucknow 

Why in the news?

Recently, Dhordo village in Gujarat has been given global recognition as one of the best tourism villages awarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

important point

• Dhordo village in Kutch district of Gujarat has received global recognition as one of the best tourist villages awarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
• 230 nominations were made for this award from across the world, of which eight villages were from India.
• Out of eight nominations from India, Dhordo is the only village to be awarded the Best Tourism Village award awarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
• In 2022, a total of 32 villages from 22 countries across five world regions were recognized.

About the Best Tourism Village awarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization

• The Best Tourism Villages Initiative is a flagship project of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme.
• To promote sustainable tourism development, UNWTO is recognizing villages from 2021.
• A total of nine criteria have been set by the United Nations World Tourism Organization for giving this award.
• Each member state can nominate a maximum of three villages for this award.
• For this award, villages that are leading in preserving local values, sustainable development, cultural diversity and local cuisine are included among the winners.
• The initiative also recognizes villages for their commitment to innovation and sustainability in all aspects – economic, social and environmental and focuses on the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Basis/criteria for this award:

The villages are evaluated by an independent advisory board based on criteria covering nine areas.

• Cultural and natural resources.
• Promotion and conservation of cultural resources.
• economic stability.
• Social stability.
• environmental sustainability.
• Tourism development and value chain integration.
• Administration and prioritization of tourism.
• Infrastructure and connectivity.
• Health, safety and security.

Pillar of Best Tourism Village Initiative by UNWTO:

The Best Tourism Village initiative consists of three pillars.

1.'Best Tourism Village' by UNWTO:

• Recognizes villages that are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with recognized cultural and natural assets.
• Which preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products and lifestyles and have a clear commitment to innovation. And sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental.

2.'Best Tourism Village' Upgrade Program by UNWTO

• The Upgrade Program benefits many villages that do not fully meet the criteria to gain recognition.
• These villages receive support from UNWTO and its partners to improve elements of the areas identified as gaps in the assessment process.

3.'Best Tourism Village' by UNWTO Global Network

• The network provides a space for the exchange of experiences and good practices, learning and opportunities.
• It also includes experts and public and private sector partners engaged in promoting tourism for rural development.

Importance:

• UNWTO's Best Tourism Villages demonstrate the region's power to promote economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities.
• The honor recognizes rural destinations that are embracing tourism as a driver of growth and new opportunities for jobs and income, while preserving and promoting community-based values and products.

List of Top Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO:

• Dhordo Village- Gujarat
• Pochampalli Village-Telangana
• Wagener, Zell am See- Austria
• Puqueldon-Chile
• Jingzhou, Dazhai - China
• Choachi-Colombia
• Angochagua, Aguarico- Ecuador

• Choke Mountain Ecovillage- Ethiopia
• Mestia- Georgia
• Kfar Kama- Israel
• Souris-Zahre, Isola del Giglio – Italy
• Umm Qais- Jordan
• Creel, El Fuerte- México
• Ksar El Khorbat, Moulay Bouzerktoune – Morocco
• Racchi, Lamas- Peru
• Castelo Novo-Portugal
• Pyeong-ri- Republic of Korea
• Rasinari- Romania
• AlUla Old Town- Saudi Arabia
• Bohinj- Slovenia
• Guadalupe, Alcazar, Rupit - Spain
• Andermatt, Murten - Switzerland
• Birgi- Türkiye
• Thai Hoi-Vietnam

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO):

• It was established in 1975. Its headquarters is located in Madrid (Spain).
• It is the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
• UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Conduct for Tourism to enhance the socio-economic contribution of tourism while reducing its potential negative impacts.

 Source: PIB