Northeast Desk, 28th September: On the occasion of World Tourism Day, five villages from India’s Northeastern states were recognized as winners in the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The prestigious titles were awarded to villages from Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, and Manipur for their unique contributions to sustainable tourism.
In a press statement, the Ministry of Tourism highlighted that under the Community-Based Tourism category, Sialsuk village from Mizoram and Alpana Gram from Tripura emerged victorious. For the Craft-Based Tourism category, Sualkuchi from Assam and Umden from Meghalaya were honored for their promotion of local craftsmanship. In the Heritage-Based Tourism category, Andro village from Manipur and Mawphlang from Meghalaya secured the titles for their cultural and historical significance.
The Ministry initiated the Best Tourism Villages Competition in 2023 to promote tourism in India’s villages, with a focus on preserving cultural and natural assets while ensuring sustainability. The second edition of the competition in 2024 saw participation from 991 villages across 30 states and UTs, with 36 villages recognized as winners across eight different categories.
The recognition of these villages is a significant boost for tourism in India’s Northeastern region, known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.