The President of India, Shri Pranab
Mukherjee presented the National Tourism Awards 2013-14 at a function held at
Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today.
Speaking on the occasion, the President
congratulated the award winners and said that these exceptional individuals and
institutions who have been felicitated today have distinguished themselves
through their dedication in promoting India as a tourist destination. He said
that broader social contacts between tourists and receiving communities go a
long way in enhancing mutual understanding, tolerance, and awareness between
peoples. India offers one of the best tourism experiences in the world, he
added.
The President said that with the growth
of the Indian economy and the increase in disposable income of the people, we
may expect tourist inflows to remain on a positive trajectory in the years to
come. We must pay focussed attention to the building of a high quality tourism
infrastructure in the country. The launch of two initiatives - Swadesh Darshan
and PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) - aiming
at integrated development of circuits and pilgrim centres would go a long way
in achieving this objective. He emphasized that the safety mechanisms that we
create, the precautions that we put in place must reassure our guests - so that
they never have to be apprehensive about their personal safety or that of their
belongings.
Highlighting the contribution of tourism
to the economy, the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge),
Culture (Independent Charge), Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the
country earned Rs1,23,000 Crore rupees of foreign exchange through tourism last
year . It contributes 6.8% to the GDP. Tourism, he said is an ‘Industry of
Smiles’ and the Government gives top priority to Swachhta, Suraksha and
hospitality as the 3 pillars of tourism promotion in the country. Highlighting
the recent steps taken by the Government, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that Welcome
Booklet is being distributed at the International Airports, giving important
information including DOs and Don’ts to the foreign travellers. Similarly,
24X7 helpline has been set up which is currently functional in Hindi and
English and will soon be functional in 12 International languages.
Similarly, started in November last
year, e-Tourist Visa facility has been extended to 113 countries in such a
short span of time. Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the achievementsmade by the
tourism industry could not have been possible without the contribution of the
private stakeholders. The work done by the stakeholders has not only generated
revenue but also given employment and contributed to women empowerment.
The Secretary , Tourism, Shri Vinod
Zutshi congratulated all awardees. He said that the Tourism Awards will go a
long way to catalyze & incentivize the tourism sector in India and
encourage the stakeholders to give their best performance.
The National Tourism Awards are given in
several categories including Comprehensive Development of Tourism, Best Rural
Tourism Project, Best Heritage City, Best Hotels, Awards to Inbound Tour
Operators and Travel Agents for their outstanding work, awards in the field of
publicity/promotion and overseas marketing, use of information technology for
tourism among others.
Among the important recipients of awards
include the state of Gujarat for the Best State/UT for Comprehensive Tourism
Development; Heritage City Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh as the Best Heritage City;
Municipal Council of Maheshwar (Distt.Khargone) in Madhya Pradesh for Best
Civic Management of a Tourist Destination in B Category. Gujarat has been
awarded as the Best Film Promotion Friendly State/Union territory while Deptt
of Tourism, Kerala received the award for Most Innovative use of Information
technology. “The Great backwaters of Kerala’ by Kerala Tourism has been
awarded the Best Tourism Film while the Coffee Table Book “Gujarat’s 50 Golden
Destinations’ by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd got the award of Best
Tourism Promotion Publicity material.
M/s Kuoni Travel India Pvt. Ltd, Gurgaon
received the first prize for Best Inbound Tour Operators/Travel agents in the
category of earning Foreign Exchange of Rs 100 cr or more in a year, M/s Trail
Blazer Tours India Pvt was given first prize in the category of earning Foreign
Exchange of Rs 50-Rs 100 cr in a year. M/s Eco Mobility and Hospitality Pvt Ltd
won the first prize in Category I of Tourist Transport Operator, while M/s Snow
Leopard Adventure Pvt Lts, Gurgaon won the prize for Best Adventure Tour
Operator.
Representatives of Tourism Departments
of States / Union Territories, travel and tour
operators, hotels, travel agents, tourist transport operators, and officials
of the Ministry of Tourism were present at the awards function today.
For the
list of awardees of National Tourism Awards 2013-14 , kindly click on the link:
For background
of national Tourism Awards, kindly click on the link:
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