January 22, 2002

‘35’

NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED ON EVE OF THE REPUBLIC DAY

    The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan will give away the National Tourism Awards on 25^th January 2002, the National Tourism Day, at Hotel Ashok.

    There are 17 National Awards and 15 Awards of Excellence this year. The National Award include the best travel agents and tour operators, tourist transport operators, classified hotels and heritage hotels. The Awards of Excellence are given for excellence in writing/publication, excellence in essay writing (English and Hindi), tourism film/ audio visual presentation, best tourism performing state with a separate award for the north eastern region.

    The Award for Excellence are also given to the best maintained tourism friendly monument, tourism friendly national park/ wild life sanctuary, eco-friendly tourism project/organisation, most innovative and unique tourism project, best tourism educational institution and the most innovative use of information technology /website/portal.

    On the occasion, Special Awards will also be given to the meritorious students of the Hotel Management Institutes and the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management for their excellent academic performance during the year 2000-2001.

    Mr. Peter De Jong, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will deliver the Foundation Day lecture on the "PATA’s view: Travel Trends for 2002 and Beyond". A presentation on Eco-Tourism on the occasion will also be held on the occasion.

    The representatives of the various State Government Tourism Departments, Tourism Industry and other tourism related organisations/individuals will attend the function.

    The Department of Tourism was founded in 1956 on 25^th January. The National Tourism Awards and the Award for Excellence are given away every year on this occasion.