Kerala Tourism basks
in national award glory
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism's pioneering use of IT
to boost tourist arrivals, the successful Kochi-Muziris Biennale and
Kumarakom's Responsible Tourism model Tuesday helped "God's Own
Country" scoop four National Tourism Awards for 2012-13.
Of the awards, Kerala Tourism won the second prize in the best
state category.
Kerala Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar received the awards from
Minister of State for Human Resources Development Shashi Tharoor at a function
held at the Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
In the niche tourism segment, the award for the "Most
Innovative and Unique Tourism Project" went to Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
The first edition of the mega art event, supported by the
Department of Tourism, was held December 2012-February 2013. It attracted
nearly half a million visitors, including thousands from outside the state and
abroad.
Kumarakom Grama Panchayat won in the "Civic Management of a
Tourism Destination in India" category, with its president Dhanya Sabu receiving
the award.
Kerala Tourism also won the award for the "Most Innovative
Use of Information Technology".
"The awards are an honour for the state, Kerala Tourism and
all its stakeholders," said Anil Kumar.
"It is a recognition for our unceasing efforts to promote
sustainable tourism with the help of the local community even while we make use
of the advantages of technology," he said.
"These awards are a huge encouragement to Kerala Tourism's
new policy of practicing a community-involved and eco-friendly, sustainable
tourism to enhance the quality of the visitor's experience," said Kerala
Tourism secretary Suman Billa.
These awards come close on the heels of Kerala Tourism winning
the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Ullysses Prize for Excellence and
Innovation in Tourism last month.
In the private sector too, Kerala got four awards.
Kumarakom Lake Resort Kottayam was named the best five-star
hotel, Vivanta by Taj at Kumarakom was the best four-star hotel and Brunton
Boatyard in Fort Kochi the best three-star hotel. Thiruvananthapuram-based
Great India Tour Company won the award for the Best Inbound Tour Operator.
Courtesy – madhyamam.com
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