Top International Honours for ‘incredible India’
India was the recipient of the much coveted Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) ‘Grand Award’ for Marketing under the banner of a highly successful ‘Incredible India’ campaign, at a special awards ceremony in Bali Indonesia. India also bagged two Gold Awards for Cultural Tourism (Aranmula) and Marketing Brochure (Kumarkom) awarded to Kerala Tourism.
Leveraging India’s colour and cultural diversity and intelligent use of traditional and interactive media including micro-sites and online contests and targeted at the international visitor, the Incredible India campaign has helped drive strong double-digit growth rates in foreign visitor arrivals into India.
“Excellent visuals and print material combine in a creative way to highlight the many little known reasons to visit India. And strong growth in visitor arrivals during the period proves that it has worked.
“This is a memorable, evocative, emotive campaign”, Judges commented.
After accepting the Award, Mr. S. Banerjee, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India said that PATA’s recognition of our efforts was a great honour and encourages the Indian tourism industry to promote India as a destination for all seasons.
Initiatives are under way for development of tourism infrastructure and facilities in the country and the work on the identified thrust areas has already been undertaken for enhancing the experience of the tourists. The Ministry of Tourism has undertaken a series of promotional and marketing activities during the year to position India internationally as a destination of choice, Mr Banerjee added.
India is the host country for PATA Travel Mart being held in Hyderabad in September next year. At a glittering invitation reception hosted by the Ministry of Tourism for PATA dignitaries and delegates in Bali yesterday, Mr. Banerjee highlighted the tourism preparedness of India for organising the Mart and invited members of this prestigious international body to visit India to have a delightful experience. While addressing the gathering, Mr. Brian Deeson, Chairman of PATA said that the enthusiasm for India was evident from the large turn out and the PATA members and the Board were looking forward to visit this most preferred tourism destination – Incredible India.
A strong contingent from Andhra Pradesh led by the Minister of Tourism Shri A. Ramnarayan Reddy attended the PATA Travel Mart and the reception in which tourist destinations of Andhra Pradesh were showcased through a Kuchipudi dance recital by Ms Deepika Reddy and her students. This was followed by display of percussion music showcasing musical traditions of various parts of the country by Rajeev Mahaveer and his troupe of Ethenic Fusion group.
About PATA
Recognised authority on Travel & Tourism in the Asia-Pacific region, PATA provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of hundreds of government tourism bodies and thousands of travel industry professionals belonging to 70 PATA Chapters worldwide. The PATA Travel Mart is an annual event offering networking opportunities for the industry and for facilitation of the meting of buyers and sellers in the region.
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