President Kovind to present ‘National Tourism Awards’ tomorrow along with Minister, KJ Alphons

NewsBharati    26-Sep-2017
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New Delhi, September 26: Ministry of Tourism presents National Tourism Awards to various segments of the travel and tourism industry every year. And marking this day, President Ramnath Kovind will present the awards from the travel, tourism and hospitality industry tomorrow at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. 

 
These awards are presented to state governments/ Union territories since 1990s to 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 with the aim to promoting tourism.
In an attempt to encourage states and union territories to put into place effective mechanisms for maintaining cleanliness at tourist destinations, a new Category of award “Swachhta Award” has been introduced this year. Other new categories of awards being introduced this year include “Best State for Adventure Tourism” and “Best Wildlife Guide”.
The date for the Awards has been selected to coincide with World Tourism Day which is celebrated annually on 27th September, to coincide with the anniversary of adoption of the statutes of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Its purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The theme for World Tourism Day 2017, as announced by UNWTO is “Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development”.
This year, an interesting segment has been added to the awards, Hall of Fame awards. It will given to states, organizations, agencies which have the National Tourism Awards in the same category for the last 3 consecutive years. Recipients of the Hall of Fame Awards will be eligible to apply for the National Tourism Award in the same category after three years.

The award function will also include :

(i)Launch of the Incredible India 2.0 Campaign;
(ii)Launch of ‘Adopt A Heritage’ Project; and
(iii)Design Launch of Incredible India Website.