‘National Tourism Awards to various segments of the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industry’ will be given away by the Speaker, Lok Sabha Smt. Sumitra Mahajan at a function organized by the Ministry of Tourism here on 30th July, 2016. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (Independent Charge) will preside over the function. Invitees at the function would include Chief Ministers and Tourism Ministers of States, Central and State Government Officials, Members from the Travel and Hospitality Industries, including leading Hoteliers, Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Travel Media and Mainstream Media.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India annually presents National Tourism Awards to various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. These awards are presented to State Governments / Union Territories, classified hotels, heritage hotels, approved travel agents, tour operators and tourist transport operators, individuals and other private organizations in recognition of their performance in their respective fields and also to encourage healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism. The National Tourism Awards have over the years emerged as a prestigious recognition of achievements in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.
The different categories under which awards would be given this year (2016), for excellence in performance during the financial year 2014-15 are:
- States and Union Territories
(i) Best State/Union Territory : Comprehensive Development of Tourism
(ii) Most Film Promotion Friendly State/UT
(iii) Best Civic Management of a Tourist Destination in India
- Travel Agents/Tour Operators/Tourist Transport Operators
(i) Best Inbound Tour Operators / Travel Agents
(ii) Best Domestic Tour Operators
(iii) Best Tourist Transport Operators
(iv) Most Innovative Tour Operator
(v) Best Adventure Tour Operator
(vi) Best MICE Operator (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions)
(vii) Tour Operator Promoting Niche Segments other than Adventure & MICE
- Classified Hotels / Incredible India Bed & Breakfast Establishments
(i) Best Hotels in the different Star Categories (1 star to 5 star deluxe)
(ii) Best Heritage Hotels
(iii) Best Eco Friendly Hotel
(iv) Hotel providing Best facilities for the Differently Abled Guests
(v) Incredible India Bed & Breakfast Establishments
- Tourism Promotion and Publicity
(i) Excellence in Publishing
(ii) Best Tourism Film
(iii) Best Tourism Promotion Publicity Material (produced by States / Union Territories and Private Stakeholders)
(iv) Most Innovative use of Information Technology – Social Media / Mobile App
- Overseas Awards
(i) Best Foreign Journalist for India
(ii) Best Foreign Photographer for India
- Other Categories
(i) Best Rural Tourism Project
(ii) Responsible Tourism Project / Initiative
(iii) Innovative/Unique Tourism Project
(iv) Best Wellness Centre
(v) Best Medical Tourism Facility
(vi) Best Tourist Friendly Railway Station
(vii) Best Airport
(viii) Best Tourism Friendly Golf Course
(ix) Best Maintained and Disabled Friendly Monument
(x) Best Chefs of India
(xi) Best Standalone Convention Centre
(xii) Best Hotel Based Meeting Venue
(xiii) Best Heritage City
(xiv) Best Heritage Walk
The achievements of organisations and individuals who have delivered quality service in the Tourism industry is important to keep the India’s Tourism Sector on an upward growth track.
The Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India during the period January- June, 2016 were 41.86 lakh with a growth of 8.9% as compared to the FTAs of 38.45 lakh with a growth of 3.7% in January- June, 2015 over January- June, 2014. The Foreign Exchange Earnings from tourism in rupee terms during January- June , 2016 were Rs. 73,065 crore with a growth of 14.1% as compared to the FEE of Rs.64,035 crore with a growth of 8.3% during January- June, 2015 over January- June, 2014.
The Government is committed to working in partnership with the Tourism sector to build on the success achieved to date and to help deliver further economic growth for tourism related businesses across the country.
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