The Central Ministry of Tourism has recognized three villages from Madhya Pradesh—Pranpur, Sabarvani, and Ladpura Khas—as the best tourism villages in the country. This announcement was made during a ceremony in New Delhi on September 27, coinciding with World Tourism Day.
Pranpur was selected in the craft category, while Sabarvani and Ladpura Khas received accolades for responsible tourism. Bidisha Mukherjee, Additional Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, accepted the awards on behalf of the state, along with representatives from the honored villages.
The Best Tourism Village Competition, organized by the Union Ministry of Tourism, aims to promote community-based values and lifestyles while preserving cultural and natural resources.
Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of the Tourism and Culture Department and Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, emphasized the significance of the award, stating, “This recognition highlights our commitment to rural tourism. These villages have effectively preserved their unique cultural heritage while empowering the local community through tourism. We are dedicated to expanding this initiative to help more rural areas gain recognition and benefit from tourism.”
Mukherjee added, “This prestigious award will elevate Pranpur, Sabarvani, and Ladpura Khas to international prominence. We anticipate a surge in both domestic and foreign tourism, which will stimulate job growth and revitalize the local economy. Furthermore, it will help safeguard our rich cultural heritage, including our ancient arts, crafts, and traditions for future generations.”
Notably, in 2023, Madla village in Panna district was awarded the Gold category, and Khokhar village in Sidhi district received the Bronze category in the same competition.
