Travel and Leisure India & South Asia hosts India’s Best Awards 2016

On its 10^th Anniversary in the South Asian region, Travel + Leisure India & South Asia announced the results of its fifth edition of the India’s Best Awards today. The digital polling was conducted through their website over a period of five months since August this year, which culminated in the announcement and Awards Ceremony at the Shangri-La’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi. The chief guest for the evening was Dr. Martin Ney, the German Ambassador to India, delivered a keynote speech and presented awards to the winners. Mr. Lorenzo Angeloni, the Italian Ambassador to India, also graced the occasion.

With 49 awards across different categories that range from the best country, emerging destination, cruise, business hotel, airport, destination spa, and honeymoon destinations in India and across the world, thousands of Travel + Leisure India & South Asia’s discerning readers have voted robustly and discriminatingly and the competition was very close in most categories. Additionally, the last two awards for the evening were decided by the travel community Tripoto, for the best blogger and amateur photographer.

HP India, one of the partners for the awards, installed a virtual reality golfing game at the venue that the guests enjoyed immensely. Other partners for the evening were The Wadhwa Group, Associate Partner, Shangri-La’s – Eros Hotel, New Delhi, Hospitality Partner, Ballantine’s, Associate Partner, Tripoto, Travel Community Partner, and Kama Ayurveda, Souvenir Partner.

The evening saw many known names in the travel and lifestyle industries. Classical musician Ustaad Shujaat Khan, Padmashri Kathak Guru Shovana Narayan, spiritual guru Anita Achariaji, Priya Paul, Chairperson of The Apeejay Surendra Park Hotels, tech guru Rajiv Makhni, former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan, Anil Lepps, CEO, India Bulls and Monisha Bajaj, designer Dhruv Kapur, and Tripoto co-founder Michael Lyngdoh were invited to present the awards.

This year, the Best State award had joined winners, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. Mr. B Venkatesan, IAS, Secretary to Telangana Govt, Department of Tourism, Youth Advancement and Culture and Mr Tapan Bhaumik, Chairman, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation received the awards. Kerala, an absolute favourite when it comes to romantic getaways, was voted the Best Honeymoon destination by Travel+Leisure India & South Asia readers. Mr Balamurali, IAS, Additional Director General, Kerala Tourism came on stage to receive the award.

Coming to international destinations, Travel+Leisure India readers were divided between Israel and Mexico for the Best Cultural Destination. The awards were given to Mr Hasan Madah, Director Israel Tourism, and Minister Eduardo Curiel, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Mexico.

Another surprise this time was the Best Emerging Destination, shared by Germany and Bulgaria. Mr. Romil Theophilus, Director for India, German Tourism and Mr. Ilya Dekov, Cultural Councilor, Bulgarian Consulate were presented the awards.