New Delhi: United Nation's World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), for the first time, held a "World Best Tourism Village" contest in which Bhoodan Pochampally village in Yadadri Bhongir district is adjudged the best.
Bhoodan Pochampally has been adjudged the best village among 170 villages From over 70 countries across the globe. This is a rare feat achieved by a village in Telangana from the international body of tourism.
Pochampally village is known as the Ikkat capital of India. The village is famous for its handloom work that includes the delicate hand-woven ikkat saree. The Pochampally sarees have received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2005.
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Telangana Tourism Minister V Srinivas Goud took to Twitter about the feat achieved by the state and said, "The certificate presented by UNWTO on the occasion of Bhoodan Pochampally village winning the 'World Best Tourism Village' award organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization under the auspices of the United Nations was presented to the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri KCR at Pragati Bhavan."
In this context, Telangana Tourism Minister V Srinivas Goud, Tourism department MD B Manohar Rao met CM K Chandrasekhar Rao. They received the United Nation's World Tourism Organization identity letter in this regard from the CM. The CM felicitated Srinivas Goud with a shawl. The CM congratulated the tourism department officials for their efforts.
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Criteria for 'World Best Tourism Village'
UNWTO recognises villages across the world that are committed to the promotion and preservation of their cultural heritage and sustainable development through tourism.
The main aspect to attain the tag of best tourism village in the world is: A village has to recognise its cultural and natural assets, preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products, lifestyle and has to be committed to innovation & sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social, and environmental.