Tourism Minister’s preoccupation with Andhra Pradesh politics and the bifurcation issue in the Parliament, literally took the colour out of the National Tourism Awards 2012-13 held at Vigyan Bhavan today. As Dr K Chiranjeevi, the host Minister, stayed away from his Ministry’s annual show, the Chief Guest of the Award function, Pranab Mukherjee, President of India, also declined to present the annual awards. In their absence, Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State (MoS) for Human Resource Development (HRD), Government of India, filled the gap and played the role of a saviour.
Addressing the captains of the tourism industry, who turned out in large numbers for the Awards, Tharoor urged them to promote not only the Incredible side of India but the credible side of the country also to the outside world. In spite of truly incredible natural beauty and vibrant culture, “best of tourism” is yet to happen in India, he said, citing the example of France, which receives the highest number of foreign tourists. He urged the industry to vie for country’s “rightful place” on the global tourism map. Considering the capacity of the tourism industry to generate more employment than any other sector in a given investment, Tharoor advocated “encouragement for more investments” into the sector. He also explained the various steps taken by the government to boost tourism into the country like collective landing permits; 90-day Visa free entry for medical tourists, visa on arrival for more countries, etc.
Although the Tourism Minister stayed away from the awards function, the Andhra stamp writ large in the Awards. Andhra Pradesh shared the first prize for Best State for Comprehensive Development of Tourism with Madhya Pradesh, while Kerala came second, and Gujarat at the third place. In the Best Heritage City category, Tourism Minister’s own constituency, Tirupati became the winner. Two HMV drivers of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation were picked up for this year’ s Atithidevo Bhava Award for their act of preventing a robbery on a tourist bus. For another year in a row, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Hyderabad was adjudged the Best Airport in the country. Other accolades for the state included Best maintained and disabled-friendly monument for Golconda Fort Hyderabad; Best Film Promotion Friendly state, and ‘Best standalone convention centre – Leonia International Centre for Exhibition & Conventions, Hyderabad.
Among the states of the North East and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), the latter once again bagged the award for Best State for Comprehensive Development of Tourism. After a while, Kerala Tourism once again came back well to win few Awards. Kumarakom Grama Panchayat won the Best Civic Management of Tourist Destination in Catetory ‘C’ city, while the Kerala Tourism website became the winner in Most Innovative Information Technology Website category. The Kochi Muziris Biennale Project of Kerala Tourism was adjudged the Most Innovative Tourism Project.
In National Tourism Award 2012-13, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India ha also recognised people for their outstanding contribution to the industry through the Life Time Achievement Award. The winners of this Award were Hugh & Colleen Gantzer, writer-photographer couple and Aman Nath and Francis Wacziarg, who together played key role in heritage conservation.
Andhra issue takes the colour out of National Tourism Awards
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