Best Tourism Village Competition

Introduction

The Best Tourism Villages Competition seeks to honor a village that best exemplifies a rural tourism destination. It showcase the renowned cultural and natural assets, preserves and promotes community-based values, goods, and lifestyles of the villages in India. It promotes the commitment of the villages towards sustainability in all of its aspects - economic, social, and environmental. Its goal is to make tourism one of the drivers of positive change, rural development, and community well-being.

Objectives of the Competition

1.
Reduce disparities between development of rural tourism destinations.

2.
Progress in empowering the rural population.

3.
Enhance attraction capability and encourage rural change.

4.
Strengthen multi-level governance, collaborations, and community engagement.

5.
Boost connection, infrastructure, financial access, and investment. Advancement and digitalization.

6.
Develop new products and integrate value chains.

7.
Promote the connection between resilient, equitably distributed, and sustainable food systems and tourism.

8.
Increase the conservation of natural and cultural resources.

9.
Encourage sustainable methods to make better use of resources, reduce emissions, and reduce waste.

10.
Improve knowledge and abilities.

Areas of evaluation

  • Cultural and Natural Resources (SDGs 8, 11, 12, 15)
  • Economic Sustainability (SDGs 5,8,9,17)
  • Environmental Sustainability (SDGs 7, 12, 13, 15, 17)
  • Governance and Prioritization of Tourism (SDGs 9, 17)
  • Health, Safety and Security (SDG 3)
  • Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources (SDGs 8, 11, 12)
  • Social Sustainability (SDGs 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 17)
  • Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration (SDGs 8, 9, 10, 12)
  • Infrastructure and Connectivity (SDGs9,17)

Eligibility Criteria

  • Low population density and not exceeding 25,000 inhabitants.
  • Located in radius of famous places, Tourist destination or landscape.
  • Having Traditional activities including agriculture, craft, cuisine etc.
  • Having history of community values or based on past achievements.
  • Applications duly filled and submitted online will only be considered for the evaluation.

- Step #1 Filling the Application form

This step is open for the district level application. The process of application is mentioned below:

  • Visit www.rural.tourism.gov.in to apply for the competition.
  • Applicant is required to register before filling up the application form.
  • Fill up all the details mentioned in the registration form along with the User Id. and password to complete the registration.
  • After registration, login to the portal with the User Id and password created at the time of registration.
  • Read the instruction and proceed further.
  • Applicants should answer all questions mentioned in the application form carefully. The write-up should not exceed more than 100 words. A detailed description with photographs (pdf file not more than 2MB) is to be uploaded with every question.
  • Applicants are advised to fill the form carefully. After submitting the form no corrections are allowed.
  • After submitting the form applicant will receive a conformation mail.

- Step #2 Review and Evaluation by the Districts

  • District will be given credentials for logging in to the portal.
  • After the last date of application, districts will review and evaluate all the entries and mark them accordingly.

- Step #3 Selection of best three rural tourism villages from every district

  • Districts will submit the three best tourism villages of their district.

- Step #4 State review and evaluate the best tourism villages of districts

  • The best tourism villages selected at the district level will be forwarded as the nomination for the best tourism village competition at state level.
  • The state will review and evaluate the best three rural tourism villages selected at district level from every district.

- Step #5 Selection of best three rural tourism villages from every state

  • After review and evaluation, state will submit their three best rural tourism villages for best rural tourism villages at national level.

- Step #6 MoT review and evaluate the best tourism villages from every state

  • After evaluation of the of all the state level entries the best tourism village of India will be announced and awarded.

Process of Evaluation –District Level

  • Districts level committee will be constituted for carrying out the district level evaluation.
  • District level committee will forward their three best villages for the state level evaluation.
  • Districts need to login in the portal to evaluate the form. The login Id’s will be provided by the state.
  • The districts will have to follow the marking guidelines for the purpose of evaluation (Annexure 1)

General Guidelines for District Level Evaluation Committee

  • It is advised that the district level evaluation committee to have at least two members from district tourism board/district administration.
  • State Nodal Officer or the representative of the State Nodal Officer to be the member of the district level evaluation committee.
  • The decision of the committee to be undertaken with the quorum of at least three members.
  • The decision of the committee submitted on the portal will be taken as final.
  • A letter detailing the committee members to be sent to cnartindia@iittm.ac.in to be kept in record.
  • The last date for the district level evaluation is 19 June 2023.
  • The cut-off marks for qualifying to next level for village is 70.
  • Maximum of top three villages above the cut-off marks will be forwarded for the next level.

Process of Evaluation – State Level

  • State level committee will be constituted for carrying out the State level evaluation.
  • State need to login in the portal to evaluate the form. The login Id’s are already shared.
  • State level committee will forward their three best villages for the National level evaluation.

General Guidelines for State Level Evaluation Committee

  • It is advised that the State level evaluation committee to have at least two members from State Tourism Board, State tourism development corporation etc.
  • State Nodal Officer or the representative of the State Nodal Officer to be the member of the State level evaluation committee.
  • The decision of the committee to be undertaken with the quorum of at least three members.
  • The decision of the committee submitted on the portal will be taken as final.
  • A letter detailing the committee members to be sent to  cnartindia@iittm.ac.in   to be kept in record.
  • The state level evaluation will start after the completion of the district level evaluation.
  • The cut-off marks for qualifying to next level for village is 70.
  • Maximum of top three villages above the cut-off marks will be forwarded for the next level.

Process of Evaluation – National Level

  • National level committee will be constituted for carrying out the National level evaluation.
  • After evaluation of all the state level entries the best tourism villages of India will be announced and awarded.

Timeline

Tentative Dates Stages of Competition
7 February 2023 Launch of the Event (along with the Rural Tourism side event at Rann of Kutch)
7 February – 15 April 2023 District Applications
16 April – 31 May 2023 District Evaluation
1 June – 15 July 2023 State Evaluation
16 July – 30 August 2023 National Evaluation
27 September 2023 Award Ceremony
Click Here to Evaluate
Registration form for Best Village Competition - INDIA
Requisites for Application:

In line with the Rural Village Competition, a village must present the following features to be eligible for application:

  • Low population density and not exceeding 25,000 inhabitants
  • Located in radius of famous places, Tourist destination or landscape
  • Having Traditional activities including fishery, agriculture, forestry, livestock
  • Having history of community values or based on past achievements
General Information
Village name XXXXXX District Name XXXXXX
Sub-District/Tehsil XXXXXX Name of State XXXXXX
Population XXXXXX Demographic information Male-XX, Female-XX
Village occupation XXXXXX Rural Tourism
Experiences/Attractions
(within 50 KM)		 XXXXXX
Annual tourist inflow (/5) XXXXXX Contact details XXXXXX

Tourism Potential and Infrastructure (marks/45)

1.

Describe how the village to promote tourism as a driver for Rural tourism in all of its elements, including economic, social, and environmental.

Please attach a Brief on development of village with adequate pictures and write up (pdf format).
2.

Does the Village have any existing recognized cultural (tangible and intangible) and natural resources?

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
3.

Does the village implemented policies, measures and initiatives relevant to showcase how the village is committed to the promotion and conservation of its cultural resources which make it unique and authentic?

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
4.

Please describe the main policies, measures and initiatives relevant to showcase how the village is committed to promote economic sustainability supporting business development, entrepreneurship, value chain integration, investment and the positive impact of tourism in the local economy. Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up (max. 100 words and in pdf format)

  • a) Does the village disseminate and/or promote policies, measures and initiatives to support the access to finance for tourism development?

  • b) Does the village disseminate and/or promote policies, measures and initiatives to support and encourage tourism investment?

  • c) Does the village disseminate and/or promote a framework that is conducive to business development, particularly for tourism Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and entrepreneurship?

5.

Describe the main policies, measures and initiatives relevant to showcase how the village is committed to promote social inclusion and equality by catalysing and spreading the benefits of tourism.

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)

  • a) Does the village disseminate and/or promote policies, measures and initiatives to foster employment in the tourism sector?

  • b) Does the village disseminate and/or promote policies, measures and initiatives to advance women empowerment and gender balance in tourism?

  • c) Does the village disseminate and/or promote policies, measures and initiatives, to advance accessibility for travellers with specific access requirements?

  • d) Does the tourism private sector is committed to Social Sustainability in line with the SDGs?
6.

Please describe the main policies, measures and initiatives relevant to showcase how the village is committed to environmental sustainability through the promotion and/or dissemination of policies, measures and initiatives that advance the preservation and conservation of its natural resources and minimize the impact of tourism development on the environment.

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)

  • a) Does the village disseminate and/or promotes policies, measures and initiatives, for the preservation and conservation of natural resources?

  • b) Does the village disseminate and/or promote policies, measures and initiatives aimed at fighting climate change?

  • c) Does the village disseminate and/or promote policies, measures and initiatives, to reduce single-use plastics in tourism?

  • d) Does the tourism private sector is committed to Environmental Sustainability in line with the SDGs?

7.

Describe the main policies, measures and initiatives relevant to showcase how the village is committed to make tourism a strategic pillar for rural development and how the village promotes a governance model based on public-private partnerships, cooperation with other government levels and the engagement of the community in tourism planning and development.

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up (max. 100 words and in pdf format)

  • a) Does the village have accommodation options that reflect rural and local values?

  • b) Does the village have eating options with local gastronomy and traditional culinary culture?

  • c) Does the village promote products and activities related to local traditions and facilitates their purchase by local businesses and by tourists?
8.

Provide a description of the village’s infrastructure and how it facilitates access and communications that improve the wellbeing of rural communities, business development as well as the visitor experience.

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
9.

Please provide a description of the village’s health, safety and security systems to safeguard residents and tourists.
Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)

  • a) Does the village has/is part of a public health, safety and security plan/system?

  • b) In case of vulnerability to natural disasters, the village has/is part of an emergency plan?

Contribution in Tourism (Marks/25 )

1.

Are you satisfied with the village’s vision on the contribution of tourism for rural development? If yes, then elaborate.

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
2.

Two Creative & Innovative initiatives that you think will make a critical contribution to your objectives stated above.

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
3.

Why the village should be selected as the Best Tourism Village and its contribution in relation to tourism afterwards?

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
4.

Has the Village contributed in development of Rural Tourism cluster? If yes, then elaborate.

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)

5.

How the village has contributed in advancement of sustainable development Goals?

Please attach the details with adequate pictures and write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)

Plan of Action (Marks/25 )

1.

Does the village face threat and challenges to the sustainability of Rural tourism development in the village? If yes, then elaborate

Please attach the detailed write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
2.

Next 5-year development strategy for the village and how will they respond to the threats?

Please attach the detailed write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
3.

How this development strategy will contribute to the conservation of local culture and natural assets?

Please attach the detailed write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
4.

Describe the support and role of stakeholders and local community in promotion of rural tourism in village.

Please attach the detailed write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)
5.

How will the village monitor the progress of Rural Tourism through these actions?

Please attach the detailed write up ( max. 100 words and in pdf format)