Mail News Service
\nNew Delhi, Feb 29: Union Tourism Minister Shri Subodh Kant Sahai has called for accelerated development of the tourism sector with the active involvement of industry. Speaking at the National Tourism Awards 2010-2011 presentation ceremony here today, he said Ministry of Tourism is looking at diversifying the tourism products by developing and promoting the nascent\/upcoming niche products of the Tourism industry. Shri Sahai said,\u201d this is done in order to overcome the aspect of seasonality to promote India as a 365 destination to attract tourists with specific interest and to ensure repeat visits by the tourists. The Tourism Minister said identifying the niche products is a dynamic exercise where in new products may be added in due course. Seeking support of the tourism industry for the initiatives of the Government of India in creation of infrastructure and employment generation activities. Shri Sahai said,\u201d the tourism sector is actively led by the industry and only facilitated by the Government\u201d.
\nThe President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave away National Tourism Awards to 78 awardees in over 50 categories.
\nEarlier in his welcome address Union Minister for State of Tourism, Shri Sultan Ahmed said that tourism is an industry which works with synergy with all stake holders putting in their combined efforts to achieve desired results. He said the Ministry of Tourism looks forward to continued support from all stakeholders in ensuring that India occupies its rightful place as a leading destination in the world.
\nThe Ministry of Tourism, Government of India annually presents National Tourism Awards to various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. These awards are presented to State Governments \/ Union Territories, classified hotels, heritage hotels, approved travel agents, tour operators and tourist transport operators, individuals and other private organizations in recognition of their performance in their respective fields and also to encourage healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism. The National Tourism
\nAwards have over the years emerged as a prestigious recognition of achievements in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.
\nThree new categories of Awards were introduced from this year. In an attempt to encourage States and Union Territories to put into place effective mechanisms for maintaining cleanliness at tourist destinations, a new Category of award for \u201cThe Best State : Campaign
\nClean India\u201d has been introduced. In addition two new categories of awards for the \u201cBest Heritage City\u201d and \u201cBest Heritage Walk\u201d have also been introduced.
\n Some of the important recipients of Awards were the States of Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, the New Delhi Railway Station, leading Tour Operators and Hotels, amongst others.<\/p>\n\n