Mumbai :  Lavasa received the International Council of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) award for ‘Emerging Destination in India’ at the annual ITB Convention held in Berlin recently.

Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, United Nation’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), presented the award to Rajiv Duggal, Senior Vice President – Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure, Lavasa Corporation Limited.

Elated at receiving the award, Rajiv Duggal said, “This will create a new chapter in Lavasa’s history. We have earlier been recognized for design and development, but this is the first time that Lavasa has received an international recognition for tourism. The Award is an extremely important milestone.

The recognition by an international body will place Lavasa in the international tourism map and give an opportunity to foreign tourists to explore and experience the beautiful landscape of Lavasa. The 100-acre medicity coming up in the second town, Mugaon, will help showcase Lavasa as a Medical Tourism destination for the Middle East and European markets. Also, the recognition has now opened doors for international tie-ups and investments. We are looking at participating at ITB Berlin next year with our partner Apollo Hospitals.”

PATWA is the world’s biggest travel writers’ organization, represented by members from 70 countries. It organizes international awards every year at the ITB Berlin, which is the world’s biggest travel fair, attended by exhibitors from 180 countries and more than 7,000 journalists. The awards instituted by PATWA recognize individuals and organizations involved in promotion of tourism from various sectors such as aviation, hotels, travel agencies and tour operators.

Commenting on the accolade, Nathan Andrews, President, Lavasa Corporation Ltd. said, “We are extremely honored to receive the Award. It is an endorsement of Lavasa as a tourist destination as we look forward to double tourist arrivals in 2015 on a year-on-year basis.”

Lavasa is fast emerging as a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra. Over 8 lakh tourists visited Lavasa in 2013. The hill city also houses the Lavasa International Convention Centre (LICC) which is located on the picturesque lakefront at Dasve, the first town at Lavasa. Reputed for its architecturally stunning exteriors, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, impeccable service and world class amenities the convention centre is an ideal venue for meetings, conventions, exhibitions, launches and seminars.

 Source : Sachin Murdeshwar