“National Tourism Awards for the year 2014-15” to various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry were presented by the Speaker, Lok Sabha Smt. Sumitra Mahajan at a function organized by M/o Tourism here today. Shri Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism & Culture presided over the function. Tourism Ministers of many States, Central and State Government Officials, Members from the Travel and Hospitality Industries, including leading Hoteliers, Travel Agents and Tour Operators and Travel Media attended the function.
The Chief Guest Smt. Sumitra Mahajan extended her heartiest congratulations to all the award recipients and wished all of them a most rewarding journey ahead as they and their colleagues continue to bring the tourism industry to greater heights through your outstanding service and excellence. The selection of Awardees is very perfect and all the persons involved in Tourism industry are the Flag Bearers of our country.
She said that in our childhood, we had read about Gulliver Travels and Vasco De Gama to know about new places of Tourism. But now through the spread of Tourism industry, it has become very easy. She expressed her happiness that the Rural Tourism has also been accorded due importance in this Award ceremony and cited the example of rich Rural tourism in Konkan region.
Smt. Sumitra Mahajan opined that the Tourists are the Brand Ambassadors of their respective countries and Tourism is a mode of improving the image of their countries abroad. She quoted the Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi describing the African nationals, who studied in India, as the ‘Alumini of India’. It is a unique gesture. She also said that Tourist Guides play a pivotal role in Tourism industry as they play an important role in promoting tourism. She called for positive news reporting about our country so that good image of our country can be portrayed abroad.
She said that the continuous strive for service excellence is all the more important as India’s Tourism Sector is on an upward growth track. She opined that we should look to tourism as a way of transforming not just the economy, but the lives of its people, within and outside the sector. The idea of transformation goes so much wider. It is about creating opportunities, through tourism, for each and every individual of the destination to play a direct role.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma in his address, lauded the roles played by various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry in our country and said that our focus is to encourage the tourism industry to deliver positive and unforgettable travel experience to all visitors and countrymen by embracing the highest standards of service excellence. The National Tourism Awards ceremony recognises the best service providers in each of their service domains. The objective of recognising and rewarding the tourism sector Stakeholders, State Govts & UTS is intended to set and consistently raise the standards of what is attainable and desirable in the competitive global tourism market, thereby helping to raise overall standards in the industry over time. The categories of these Awards are being updated from time to time.
He said that few travel destinations in the world can equal the diversity, exhilaration, and wonder of our Country’s tourism product. The combination of our landscape, people, culture, attractions and experiences provide a travel package that is hard to match. At the outset it is important for us to recognise how much the industry in India has grown and its many successes and accomplishments. Our combined efforts and hard work is making an impact.
The Minister opined said that the path breaking initiative of our Government has been the easing of the Visa regime. The e- tourist visa is reality today. It is now available for nationals of 150 countries. The Ministry of Tourism is also continuously working with MHA to make the e-tourist visa more tourist friendly. A Welcome Kit to all foreign tourists arriving at Indian airports is being planned by the Ministry.
He informed that Ministry of Tourism is in consultation with Ministry of Railways for exclusive Tourist coaches for Tourists on select routes as well as for the development of 50 Railway stations as “Adarsh Railway Stations”. Simultaneously, talks are going on with Ministry of Civil Aviation to develop 65 airports as ‘Adarsh Airports’ and a low air fare scheme of Rs. 2500/- for passengers will boost Tourism industry.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that a slew of measures taken by Government of India in last two years viz. Swadesh Darshan; PRASAD; Toll Free Helpline Number in 12 foreign languages; Medical Tourism Promotion Board; Ramayan Circuit; Krishna Circuit; Buddha Circuit; and Swachchh App. etc have helped the tourism industry move on the path of growth. He urged all stake holders in Tourism sector to promote these new tourist friendly initiatives. He also said that without involving private sectors, our goal of Tourism development can not be achieved.
He emphasized that while the tourism sector in India continues to grow and develop, it is essential to remain true to the core values of ‘Athithi Devo Bhav’ of providing consistent, exceptional service to our valued travellers, both local and international. The National Tourism Awards will prove to be an invaluable tool in ensuring that the tourism sector in India is not only encouraged, but recognised to deliver on-the-ground, as we work collectively towards mutual objectives.
Shri Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, M/o Tourism in his welcome address said that the Tourism sector has now been accorded very high priority world over. Our GDP has grown with the development of Tourism. Foreign Tourists Arrival has now touched a new height and our Domestic Tourism is also booming. Many new initiatives of Ministry of Tourism in past two years are remarkable.
Shri Uday Pratap Singh, Addl. Secretary, M/o Tourism proposed the Vote of Thanks.
The different categories under which awards were presented this year (2016), for excellence in performance during the financial year 2014-15 are:
NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS (2014-15) AWARD WINNERS
Sl. No.
|
Category
|
Award Winner
|
TRAVEL AGENTS / INBOUND TOUR OPERATORS
| ||
Foreign Exchange Earnings of Rs. 100 crore and above (Category I)
| ||
1
|
First Prize
|
M/s SDU Travels Private Limited, New Delhi
|
2
|
Second Prize
|
Le Passage Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd.
|
3
|
Third Prize
|
SOTC Travel Services Pvt. Ltd.
|
Foreign Exchange Earnings of Rs. 50 crore and above but less than Rs.100 crore (Category II)
| ||
4
|
First Prize
|
Creative Travel Pvt. Ltd.
|
5
|
Second Prize
|
Caper Travel Company Pvt. Ltd.
|
6.
|
Third Prize
|
Trail Blazer Tours India Pvt. Ltd.
|
Foreign Exchange Earnings of Rs. 25 crore and above but less than Rs. 50 crore (Category III)
| ||
7
|
First Prize
|
G.B. Morrison Travels Pvt. Ltd.
|
8
|
Second Prize
|
Indian Legend Holidays Pvt. Ltd.
|
9
|
Third Prize
|
Indo Asia Leisure Services Ltd.
|
Foreign Exchange Earnings of Rs.10 crore and above but less than Rs. 25 crore (Category IV)
| ||
10
|
First Prize
|
Indian Trails Sourcing Services Pvt. Ltd.
|
11
|
Second Prize
|
GeTS Holidays Pvt. Ltd.
|
12
|
Third Prize
|
Travelite (India)
|
Foreign Exchange Earnings of Rs. 5 crore and above but less than Rs.10 crore (Category V)
| ||
13
|
First Prize
|
Magadh Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd.
|
14
|
Second Prize
|
Maxxfun Holidays Pvt. Ltd.
|
15
|
Third Prize
|
HEAT Travels & tours (India) Private Limited.
|
Foreign Exchange Earnings of Rs.2.50 crore and above but less than Rs. 5 crore (Category VI)
| ||
16
|
First Prize
|
Kalypso Adventures (P) Ltd.
|
17
|
Second Prize
|
Asiad Holidays (P) Ltd.
|
18
|
Third Prize
|
Dravidian Trails Holidays Pvt. Ltd.
|
DOMESTIC TOUR OPERATORS
| |||
19
|
Promoting the North East Region including Sikkim
|
Club Side Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd., Darjeeling
| |
20
|
Promoting Jammu & Kashmir
|
Kesari Tours Pvt. Ltd.
| |
Promoting the Rest of India
| |||
21
|
First Prize
|
Yatra Online Pvt. Ltd.
| |
22
|
Second Prize
|
Leisure Corp Pvt. Ltd.
| |
23
|
Third Prize
|
HEAT Travels & Tours (India) Private Ltd.
| |
TOURIST TRANSPORT OPERATORS
| |||
Turnover of Rs.1.50 crore and above (Category I)
| |||
24
|
First Prize
|
Eco’s India Mobility & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
| |
25
|
Second Prize
|
HEAT Travels & Tours (India) Private Ltd.
| |
26
|
Third Prize
|
Bakshi Transport Service (P) Limited
| |
Turnover of Rs. 50 lakh & above but less than Rs.1.50 crore (Category II)
| |||
27
|
First Prize
|
Delhi Airport Service Pvt. Ltd.
| |
28
|
Second Prize
|
Panicker’s Travel (India) Pvt. Ltd.
| |
29
|
Third Prize
|
Alwar Tourist Transport Service
| |
30
|
Best Adventure Tour Operator
|
Active India Holidays Pvt. Ltd.
| |
31
|
Best MICE Operator
|
SOTC Travel Services Pvt. Ltd.
| |
32
|
Tour Operator promoting Niche Segments other than MICE and Adventure
|
Lotus Destinations Pvt. Ltd.
| |
33
|
Most Innovative Tour Operator
|
K B Enterprises, Imphal
| |
33
|
Best Tourist Guide
|
Mr. Jiwan Jyoti Pateriya, Tourist Guide from Khajuraho.
| |
AWARDS FOR PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION
| ||
34
|
Excellence in Publishing in English
|
Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala for their Coffee Table Book - “Kerala & The Spice Routes”.
|
35
|
Excellence in Publishing in Foreign Language other than English
|
Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala for their Brochure “ The Great Backwaters (Das Faszinierendste Gewässer der Erde)” in German Language.
|
36.
|
Best Tourism Film
|
Department of Tourism, Union Territory Administration of Daman & Diu for their film “Ilha De Calma”.
|
37
|
Best Tourism Promotion Publicity Material by States and Union Territories
|
Department of Tourism, Govt. of Telangana for their coffee Table Book “Ancient Temples of Telangana”.
|
OVERSEAS AWARDS
| ||
38.
|
Best Foreign Journalist for India
|
Ms. Stephanie Pearson, USA for “The Green Heaven” a feature on Kerala.
|
S No.
|
Category
|
Award Winner
|
39
|
Most Innovative use of Information Technology – Social Media / Mobile App
(JOINT WINNERS)
|
Department of Tourism, Govt. of Kerala.
|
40
|
Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited.
| |
Convention Centres
| ||
41
|
Best Hotel Based
Meeting Venue
|
The Ashok, New Delhi.
|
42
|
Best Stand Alone Convention Centre
|
Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad.
|
Hospitality Segment
| ||
43
|
Best Chef
(In 4 star, 5 star, 5 star Deluxe, Heritage Classic & Grand category Hotels)
|
Chef Machindra Umakant Kasture
Executive Chef, The Ashok, New Delhi.
|
44
|
Best Chef
(In 1 to 3 Star, Heritage Basic and Stand alone
Restaurants)
|
Chef Muruganandham
Executive Chef, Confluence Banquets & Resorts, Mahabalipuram, Chennai.
|
45
|
Best Lady Chef
|
Chef Amninder Sandhu
Chef – De-Cuisine, Masala Bay, Taj Lands End, Mumbai.
|
46.
|
Incredible India Bed & Breakfast Establishments approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India
|
House of Kapaali, NOIDA
|
47
|
Incredible India Bed & Breakfast Establishments approved by the State Governments UT Administrations
|
Coconut Creek Farm and Homestay, Kumarakom, Kottayam
|
HOTELS
| ||
48
|
Best Eco Friendly Hotel
|
Jaypee Vasant Continental, New Delhi.
|
49
|
Hotel providing best facilities for the differently abled guests
|
The Lalit, New Delhi
|
BEST HERITAGE HOTELS
| ||
50
|
Heritage Basic Category
|
Gajner Palace, Gajner, Bikaner
|
51
|
Heritage Classic Category
|
Coconut Lagoon, Kottayam, Kerala
|
52
|
Heritage Grand Category
|
Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur
|
BEST HOTELS
| ||
53
|
3 Star
|
Minerva Grand, Tirupati
|
54
|
4 Star
|
Quality Hotel DV Manor, Vijayawada
|
55
|
5 Star
|
Turtle on the Beach, Kovalam, Kerala
|
56
|
5 Star Deluxe
|
Taj Exotica, Salcette, Goa
|
Niche Tourism Awards
| ||
57
|
Best Responsible Tourism Project
(JOINT WINNERS)
|
“Edge of India” – Yes Bank Limited, New Delhi.
|
58
|
“Responsible Tourism in Wayanad” - Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
| |
59
|
Best Rural
Tourism Project
|
“Sargaalaya Arts & Crafts Village, Iringal, Kerala” - Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
|
60
|
Tourism Friendly Golf Course
|
Jaypee Green Golf Course, NOIDA.
|
61
|
Best Wellness Centre
|
Somatheeram Research Institute & Ayurveda Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Trivandrum
|
62
|
Best Film Promotion Friendly State
|
Gujarat
|
63
|
Most Innovative and Unique Tourism Project
(JOINT WINNERS)
|
Heritage Transport Museum, Gurgaon
|
64
|
Madhya Pradesh Tourism for “Art Ichol, Maihar”.
| |
Other Awards
| ||
Best Airport
| ||
65
|
Class X Cities
|
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai.
|
66
|
Best Tourist Friendly Railway Station
|
Sawai Madhopur Railway Station, Rajasthan
|
67
|
Best Heritage Walk
(JOINT WINNERS)
|
India City Walks for the Built Legacy of Mughals (Old Delhi Heritage Walk).
|
68
|
Heritage Walk of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
| |
69
|
Best Heritage City
|
Warangal, Telangana
|
70
|
Best Maintained and Disabled Friendly Monument
|
Monuments of Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh
|
Best State / Union Territory For Comprehensive Development of Tourism
| ||
72
|
Third Prize
|
Karnataka
|
73
|
Second Prize
|
Gujarat
|
74
|
First Prize
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
