Gandhinagar: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India today announced that Dhordo in Gujarat has been honored as the “Best Tourism Village” by the World Tourism Organization which functions as an arm of the United Nations.

Ministry of Tourism in a tweet stated – ‘This accolade reflects the village’s exemplary contribution to sustainable and responsible tourism.’

Dhordo is a small village located next to the white Rann of Kutch and known for hosting annual Rann Utsav in winters. On the other side of the white Rann of the India-Pakistan border.

Ministry of Tourism is pleased to announce that Dhordo in Gujarat has been honoured as the “Best Tourism Village” by the @UNWTO. This accolade reflects the village’s exemplary contribution to sustainable and responsible tourism. #Dhordo #UNWTO #SustainableTourism https://t.co/jnYXwRi8Na

— Ministry of Tourism (@tourismgoi) October 19, 2023

In response to the news, Prime Minister Modi tweeted on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:, “Absolutely thrilled to see Dhordo in Kutch being celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. This honour not only showcases the potential of Indian tourism but also the dedication of the people of Kutch in particular. May Dhordo continue to shine and attract visitors from around the world! I’m sharing some memories of my visits to Dhordo in 2009 and 2015. I also invite you all to share your memories from your previous visits to Dhordo. This will inspire more people to visit. And, don’t forget to use #AmazingDhordo.”

Absolutely thrilled to see Dhordo in Kutch being celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. This honour not only showcases the potential of Indian tourism but also the dedication of the people of Kutch in particular.

May Dhordo continue to shine and attract… https://t.co/cWedaTk8LG pic.twitter.com/hfJQrVPg1x

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 20, 2023

Then Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi decided to develop this unknown remote place as a new tourism destination. He identified potential of the White Rann of Kutch as tourism attraction and initiated the Kutch Rann Utsav on this location by setting up a tent city in winters. To promote Rann Utsav in its formative years, Modi would personally visit and stay in tent city. From the tent city, every year on Dutt Jayanti he would visit a Dutt mandir atop Kalo Dungar, redeveloped with the efforts of Rashriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliated local organizations due to its strategic location on the border and its religious, social and cultural importance.

While the earlier State governments had approach of not encouraging people to visit the border areas of Kutch, and thereby keeping the areas unchecked by people, the Narendra Modi government took a new approach of bringing maximum people to visit the border areas. Rann Utsav is one of the initiatives exhibiting this new approach. A tent city stays there for months every winter and now permanent accommodations are also built. DeshGujarat