Which Indian village has been awarded as the 'Best Tourism Village' by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the year 2021?

The correct answer is Pochampally.

Key Points

• Pochampally village in Telangana, India, has been awarded as the 'Best Tourism Village' by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the year 2021.
• The award was presented to recognize Pochampally for its rich cultural heritage, traditional handloom weaving, and sustainable tourism practices.
• Pochampally is renowned for its Ikat textiles, which are globally acclaimed for their unique weaving patterns and quality.
• The village is also known for its vibrant culture and has been a major center for handloom weaving for centuries.
• This recognition aims to promote rural tourism and highlight destinations that preserve cultural and natural assets.

Additional Information

• United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
  • The UNWTO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.
  • It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how.
  • UNWTO's membership includes 159 countries, 6 territories, and over 500 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations, and local tourism authorities.
• Ikat Weaving
  • Ikat is a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employ resist dyeing on the yarns prior to dyeing and weaving the fabric.
  • Pochampally Ikat is known for its intricate geometric patterns in the design, which are created by tying and dyeing the yarn before weaving.
  • This technique requires a high level of skill and precision, making each piece unique and highly valued.
• Rural Tourism
  • Rural tourism refers to tourism that takes place in non-urban settings, often in villages or the countryside.
  • It focuses on showcasing rural life, art, culture, and heritage at rural locations, benefiting the local community and preserving their traditions.
  • This type of tourism helps in the economic development of rural areas by providing alternative sources of income for local residents.
• Sustainable Tourism
  • Sustainable tourism refers to tourism that respects both local people and the traveler, cultural heritage, and the environment.
  • It aims to ensure that tourism can be maintained long-term without harming natural and cultural environments.
  • Key principles include minimizing the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and local communities, and maximizing the positive contributions tourism can make to conservation and the well-being of host communities.