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From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Arunachal Pradesh bagged an award in the Best State: Campaign Clean India category apart from winning a special prize for Most Innovative use of Information Technology at the National Tourism Awards function here on Monday.
However, none of the other northeastern states could make a mark in the event. Incidentally, two Delhi-based tour operators received awards for their operations in North East.
Speaking on the occasion President Pranab Mukherjee, who presented the awards, stressed on the importance of sustainable, “green” tourism and called upon host communities to be more conscious and proactive with regard to tourist destinations in their respective areas.
The President also lauded the ‘Incredible India’ campaign in boosting the tourism sector, saying it was a “well-conceived and concerted effort in brand promotion”. “I take this opportunity to stress the importance of a highly specialised and motivated work force. It is important for Government and private sector to collectively generate adequate manpower — both in terms of quantity and quality,” he said.
“One of the most attractive assets that India can offer is our cuisine. There is no parallel to the range of local specialities that a traveller can savour as he travels through India,” the President added Union Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi said that this year the Government has made a paradigm shift in its strategy to promote tourism within the country and abroad. He said “The Go Beyond’ campaign focuses on promoting lesser known destinations to domestic as well as international tourists.
The other campaign, themed as “Find what you Seek”, targets the international tourists.
“In the short span of four months our campaign has won international accolades,” Chiranjeevi said.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh bagged the best state award for Comprehensive Development of Tourism in the rest of India category. The Best Heritage City award went to Warangal (AP) while Amritsar Heritage Walk and Delhi Heritage Walk were declared joint winners of the best Heritage Walk Award category.
Most of the awards went to either the tourist state of Kerala or national capital New Delhi. Incidentally, Sothern Travels of New Delhi which received award as Domestic Tour Operator promoting North East Region including Sikkim.
Similarly, the Faridabad based Far Horizon Tours Pvt. Ltd got “Most Innovative Tour Operator,” award for its entry on “M V Mahabahu Luxury River Cruise” on Brahmaputra River.
The Ministry of Tourism annually presents the National Tourism Awards in various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. (With inputs from PTI)