Kuthlur village in Belthangady taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, has been selected as the ‘Best Tourism Village’ under the adventure tourism category by the Ministry of Tourism. This recognition highlights the village’s transformation from its former association with Maoist activity to becoming a premier tourist destination in the state. Kuthlur is the only village from Karnataka to receive this national honor, marking a significant achievement for the region.
The Ministry of Tourism launched the ‘Best Tourism Village Competition’ in 2023 to encourage competitiveness and foster pride among rural communities. The competition identifies five top rural tourism villages under different categories, recognizing their contributions to promoting tourism. The selection process involves three stages: district, state, and national levels.
Three villagers from Kuthlur—Harish Dakaiah, a Bengaluru-based software engineer, Sandeep Poojary, who works in Qatar, and Shivaraj—participated in the competition on behalf of their community. They entered the adventure tourism category and submitted detailed documentation highlighting the village’s adventure tourism potential, safety measures, and other relevant information. The application process involved responding to around 40 questions on the tourism website and uploading photos and descriptions of local tourism spots. At the national level, they submitted a video showcasing the village’s offerings.
Kuthlur’s win is not only a recognition of its tourism potential but also a reflection of the community’s efforts to shed its negative image and promote itself as a hub for adventure activities. This award is expected to boost tourism in the village and set an example for other rural communities in the region.
