Andhra Pradesh has bagged the best state award for comprehensive development
of tourism in the rest of India category of National Tourism Award
2011-12. The Best Heritage city award
has gone to Warangal(AP). Amritsar Heritage Walk and
Delhi Heritage Walk have been declared joint winner of the best Heritage Walk
Award. Announcing these Awards in New
Delhi today, Union Tourism Minister Shri Chiranjeevi said every year the
categories of awards are reviewed with new categories being added to recognize
excellence in diverse fields, in accordance with the requirements of changing
times. He said it is an ongoing
endeavour of the Ministry to diversify the tourism products of the country by
developing and promoting new niche segments, so as to attract different
categories of tourists with diverse interests and to promote India as a year -
round destination. In keeping with this thrust of the Ministry, new categories
of awards for “Medical Tourism Facilities” and for “Tour Operators Promoting Niche
segments” had been introduced in 2011.
The
tourism Minister said in an attempt to encourage States and Union Territories
to adopt effective mechanisms for maintaining cleanliness at tourist
destinations, a new Category of award for “Best State : Campaign Clean India”
was introduced in 2012. New categories of awards for “Best Heritage City” and “Best
Heritage Walk” were also introduced in 2012. He said recognising the
importance of Cinema as a powerful tool for the development and promotion of
the destinations, the Ministry has instituted a National Tourism Award for “Best
Tourism Film”.
Shri
Chiranjeevi said the Tourism Ministry has also
announced special National Tourism Awards for Mr. Yann
Martel, author of the Book “Life of Pi”, for promoting India (Puducherry and Munnar) through
the film.
The
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India annually presents National Tourism
Awards to various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
These awards are being given since the early 1990s and 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 for the year 2011-12 will be given away at a function
to be held at New Delhi on 18th of this month. The President of
India will grace the occasion as Chief Guest and give away the awards in
various categories.
Click
here for the full Award List
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Samir/rv