Kerala bags 11 National Tourism Awards

NEW DELHI: Kerala bagged 11 National Tourism Awards for 2007-08 instituted by the Union Government which were announced and presented here on Tuesday. The State Government bagged four aw
State Tourism Secretary V Venu and Tourism Director M Shiv Shanker receiving the National Tourism Awards for 2007-08 from Union Home Minister P Chidam
State Tourism Secretary V Venu and Tourism Director M Shiv Shanker receiving the National Tourism Awards for 2007-08 from Union Home Minister P Chidam

NEW DELHI: Kerala bagged 11 National Tourism Awards for 2007-08 instituted by the Union Government which were announced and presented here on Tuesday.

The State Government bagged four awards while the rest of the awards went to the private entries from the state.

The ‘Ulsavam’ of Kerala which blended various culture and customs of the state like folk art, temple art and ethnic rituals, was selected the most innovative tourism project.

An annual event, ‘Ulsavam’ showcased more than 100 different art forms of the state performed by over 2000 artists at 36 venues across the state. The most innovative tourism project award was also shred by Orissa Government’s bus service project, Hop-On-Hop- Off Tours.

The new initiative from the state which combined adventure with tourism-paragliding festivalnamed VAGA Fest being held at Vagamon in Idukki has been acclaimed the most innovative adventure activity.

The festival is being organised by the Adventure Sports and Sustainable Tourism Academy in partnership with the Kerala Tourism.

“This award would be dedicated to Ani who was recently killed in an unfortunate accident while preparing for the world paragliding championship. His contribution for the realisation of this venture is immense”, said state tourism secretary V Venu after receiving the award.

The state bagged the award for the best responsible tourism project and best film on tourism.

“The responsible tourism project helps in the socio-economic growth by utilising a major portion of the revenue generated by the projects reaching the key stakeholders which are the local communities”, said Venu. The project is being implemented in the state at Kumarakom, Thekkadi, Wayanad and Kovalam.

The film intended to popularise tourism “Rhapsodies from God’s Own Country” bagged the award in the respective category. The content of the film blend cross sections of the state’s nature and culture.

The Cochin Port Trust won the award for the best tourism-friendly port. The port which is one of the major 12 ports of the country had been the venue for the biggest cruise tourism events, the Volvo Ocean Race.

Unhampered by the recent tug of war with the State Government, the Trivandrum golf course has been awarded the best tourismfriendly golf course among all the golf courses in the country.

The Marari Beach Hotel in Mararikkulam and Coconut Lagoon, Kottayam, won the awards for the best hotels in three star and classified hotel categories respectively.

The best tourism promotion collateral publicity material joint award was shared by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

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