On World Tourism Day, the Union Ministry of Tourism declared the winners of the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024. Launched in 2023, this initiative aims to bolster tourism in Indian villages by recognizing those that excel in preserving cultural and natural heritage through community values and sustainable practices.
From Assam, Sualkuchi in Kamrup district was celebrated for its weaving craftsmanship. Known as the “Manchester of Assam,” Sualkuchi is renowned for its handloom industries producing high-quality muga, pat, eri silk, and endi cloth.
Mizoram’s Sialsuk village in Aizawl district won in the community-based tourism category. Sialsuk offers a day of camping, adventurous sports, and rich cultural experiences amidst its verdant hills and lesser-explored forests.
Alpana Gram in West Tripura district also received accolades for community-based tourism. The village is famed for its murals painted on mud walls, drawing tourists to its artistic heritage.
Manipur’s Andro village in Imphal East district was recognized for its heritage. The hamlet is renowned for its pottery and the Andro Gramshang Museum, which displays traditional pots, vases, piggy banks, and lamps. The village is also home to a dollhouse featuring dolls from 29 Manipuri tribes.
In Meghalaya, Umden village in Ri Bhoi district was honored for its craft, specifically its renowned eri silk. Lastly, Mawphlang village in East Khasi Hills district received recognition for its heritage. Known for its sacred groves and named after its monoliths, Mawphlang serves as a cultural hub for the Khasi community.
The Best Tourism Villages Competition continues to highlight the rich, diverse heritage and sustainable practices of India’s rural landscapes, fostering tourism and community pride.
