Goemkarponn Desk
CANACONA: In yet another feather to the cap, Canacona ‘s remote and ST community dominated village of Cotigao is adjudged as one of the ‘Best Tourism Villages ‘ of India 2023 in the ‘Bronze Category ‘ for promotion and preservation of cultural heritage and sustainable development through tourism.
A proud Cotigao Sarpanch Anandu Desai received the token of appreciation on behalf of Cotigao Village on Wednesday st an glittering function/event held at Bharat Mandapam, IECC, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Cotigao is adjudged as the best Village from amongst the 795 other villages/applicants from 31 States/Union Territories. Out of these 795 applicants Cotigao Village stood out as a shining example of excellence in rural tourism exemplifying the nine pillars of the best tourism village competition.
Cotigao was among the 35 rural tourism villages which are awarded in the gold (5), silver (10) and bronze (20) categories.
Nodal Officer CAN(Central Nodal Agency)for Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay Dr. Kamakshi Maheshwari, Minister of State for Tourism and Defence Ajay Bhat and Secretary Ministry of Tourism V . Vidyavathi ,IAS were also present for the event.
Interestingly, with this event held as part of the global launch of “Travel for LIFE” will also mark the initiation of the Best Rural Tourism Village Competition 2024 and the Best Rural Homestays Competition 2024. Cotigao is automatically qualifies
An event was organised in New Delhi today by the Central Nodal Agency for Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay, to honour the recognized villages.
This event is part of the global launch of “Travel for LIFE” and will also mark the initiation of the Best Rural Tourism Village Competition 2024 and the Best Rural Homestays Competition 2024. The even is organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, The United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the United Nations Environment Program. The event not only acknowledges the outstanding contributions of Villages like Cotigao Village but also marks the initiation of the Best Rural Tourism village competition 2024 and the Best Rural Homestay Competition 2024.
Incidentally, this is the second village in Canacona taluka to receive a national award this year.
Earlier in June, the coastal village of Agonda was the only panchayat from Goa to receive the National Panchayat Awards-2023 in the category ‘Clean and Green’ from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, New Delhi, on the occasion World Environment Day.
Besides, Travelleres around the world has often ranked Agonda beach in Canacona taluka as no.1 tourist destination in the country, best amongst 5 in Asia and the Best amongst 10 top beaches of the World.
