Hyderabad: For the first time, Indian tourism celebrated the achievements of those behind the success of the travel and tourism industry in South India at a glittering awards ceremony aptly named– India Travel Awards, held in Hyderabad recently. The ceremony was attended by a list of distinguished personalities who came together, to acknowledge the contributions of the Best of the Best in the travel and tourism industry by awarding them.

The awards were presented to achievers from different segments of the industry which included aviation, domestic and international tourism boards, hotels and resorts, travel agents, tour operators etc.  Winner in the nomination ‘Best National Tourism Organization’ for 2013 was awarded to Philippines Tourism for its branding campaign and roadshows in South India, particularly in the cities of Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. SpiceJet was recognized the best in the nomination ‘Best Airline’.

Mr. Amit Bhasin, Convener of the India Travel Awards said, “South India Travel Awards is an initiative to create an all-India platform to recognize those behind the success of the travel and tourism industry and to recognize their achievements.”

The winners of the awards were defined by a fair and unbiased selection process done through voting and judgments by a panel of jury consisting of the travel industry’s luminaries. The total score of the judges and the number of votes received by each nominee determined the final scores of the winners.

The maiden edition of the awards had over 300 nominations and generated a total of 250,000 votes from all over India. Beginning with South India, the awards will move on to its regional editions in the East, West and North India, finally culminating into the India Travel Awards Final. These formal Black-Tie ceremonies will be graced by the who’s who of the country’s travel industry.