Kerala Tourism has won the Conde Nast Travel Award for putting India on the global travel map.
The ‘Brand India’ Global Award, instituted this year, was presented to Tourism Director Rani George at a ceremony held in New Delhi. The award instituted by the international travel magazine recognised the significant contribution by Kerala tourism to the travel industry and its important efforts to put India on the global travel map.
Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar described the award as a big recognition of the state’s sustained global campaign pitching God’s Own Country as a ‘must-see’ destination in the world. “With abundant natural beauty, pleasant weather and warm hospitality and services, Kerala has emerged as a world class tourist destination, representing the country well abroad,” he said.
“The award for Kerala Tourism’s efforts in firmly establishing ‘brand India’ on the travel map of the world is an encouragement to our state to do even better,” Tourism Secretary Suman Billa said.
After receiving the award, Rani George said that the award for Kerala Tourism was the result of hard work by the Department as well as its partners in the state’s travel and hospitality sectors.
It is because of the efforts of everyone, from guides to tour operators, restaurants to resorts and all those who are part of our state’s travel and tourism industry.
Union Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan, Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation CEO and Managing Director Amitabh Kant and ambassadors of Thailand, New Zealand and the Maldives were present at the ceremony of the Conde Nast Travel Awards 2012. Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister Nasir Aslam Wani was also present.