National awards for Kerala Tourism

Thiruvananthapuram: Barely days after it was conferred three PATA gold awards, Kerala Tourism bagged two prestigious National Tourism Awards 2017-18 for the Best Tourism Film ‘Come Out and Play’ and the third prize in the category of ‘Best State/UT: Comprehensive Development of Tourism-Rest of India’.

Private players like hoteliers and tour operators in Kerala’s travel and hospitality industry substantially increased the awards tally by securing five more awards, making it a total of seven awards for the state, which were presented at a function held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

Kerala tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran and tourism secretary Rani George received the awards from Prahlad Singh Patel, the union minister of state (IC) for tourism & culture, and Zurab Pololikashvili, the secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

‘Come Out and Play’ developed and produced by Stark Communications, which is the advertising and marketing agency for Kerala Tourism, is an invitation to India to come out of the routine ‘everydayness’ of urban spaces and the isolation that gadgets induce to connect with each other and nature. It offers tourists a wide array of options to rediscover nature via activities such as trekking, ayurvedic massage, river rafting, yoga lessons, visiting a spice plantation, learning the basics of Kerala cuisine, climbing a coconut tree, sailing on a houseboat, and many more.

‘Kerala is blessed with a unique set of geographical features that have made it one of the most sought-after destinations in Asia. Blessed with a pleasant and equable climate throughout the year, it is truly ‘God’s Own Country,’ read the citation for Kerala Tourism’s third prize in the category of ‘Best State/UT: Comprehensive Development of Tourism - Rest of India’.

“A defining feature of our tourism policy is a close-knit relationship between the government and private players. We have laid proper emphasis on the public-private partnership (PPP) mode for growth of tourism in the state,” said Surendran after receiving the award.

Among the five awards for Kerala’s private players were first prize for Best Inbound Tour Operator/Travel Agent (Category V) by International Pilgrimage Revolution Pvt Ltd, Best Adventure Tour Operators (Inbound) award by Kalypso Adventures Pvt Ltd, Best Incredible India Bread & Breakfast Establishment approved by ministry of tourism (Gold & Silver Category) for Rose Gardens Homestay, Karadippara (Munnar), Best Bread & Breakfast Establishment approved by State government/union territory administration by Coconut Creek Farm & Homestay, Kumarakom and Best Wellness Centre award by Manaltheeram Ayurvedic Hospital & Research Centre Pvt Ltd, Thiruvananthapuram.