In a recent turn of events, the state of Kerala announced its tourism awards for the year 2013-2014. Lucky winner of the prestigious ‘Best Inbound Tour Operator to Kerala’ award was Kochi-based Intersight Tours and Travels.
Talking about the list of awardees; Alappuzha’s Marari Beach bagged the best three star accommodation award, while best four star hotel award belongs to Uday Samudra leisure beach hotel and spa at Kovalam. On the other side, the award for the best five start accommodation was won by Kumarakom Lake Resort. Best Five star Deluxe Hotel award was won by Raviz Hotel’s Leela Kovalam and the award for Best Heritage Hotel went to the hands of Coconut Lagoon of Kumarakom.
In the case of Ayurvedic resorts, Somatheeram Ayurvedic resort in Kerala was honored with the best approved and classified Ayurvedic center title. While the award for ‘Best Operator and Classified House Boat operator’ goes to Rainbow Cruise. The Best approved and classified homestay award for the year 2013-14 was awarded to Coconut Creek Farm and Homestay in Kumarakom. On the other hand, the best approved and classified serviced villa award was given to Munnar’s British County.
The other list of the tourism award talks about hotel managements. Under this category, the Best Hotel Manager award was given to Mathew C Thomas of Kovalam Vivanta by Taj. Award for the best tourism/Hotel Management Institute was booked in the name of Oriental School of Hotel Management, Wayanad.
Kerala State Tourism board also honored the senior sub-editor of Mathrubhumi Yathra with the Best Tourism Related Report in print media award. Mathrubhumi newspaper’s senior news photographer C Biju was selected the best photographer in the tourism sector. The best tourism related Magazine award was won by Green leaf.
In terms of innovation, the panel selected the Waterworld Live Museum at the Main Boat Jetty in Ernakulam as the most Innovative project in tourism. On the other hand, Somatheeram Ayurveda Group was titled with the crown of the ‘Most Innovative use of IT in tourism.’
The best tourism club award for the year 2013-14 was given to PP TMYHSS Cherur of Tirur. Award for Best Teacher Coordinator of Tourism Club was given to Abdul Hameed of the same adventure club. However, the title of Best Student Coordinator of Tourism Club was grabbed by MUA College of Malappuram.
Lifeguards and rescuers were also honored with respective awards. In the spirit of this, the Best Tourism Police award was given to Ganeshan S from Alappuzha and Sanal Kumar AG from Paravaur. Best Tourism Life guard title was given to Virjin S from Thiruvanathapuram and Charlson P from Kannur.
Ajaya Kumar N R from Kannur was selected the Best tourism Guide, while the Wonder La in Kochi, the winner of Best Tourism Destination.
The world also witnessed an addition of award in this year’s event. A new certificate of recognition for a new initiative was given to Malappuram’s Teak town Serviced Villa.
Winners of these perspective awards were decided by a panel decided by the Tourism secretary. The list of candidates were drawn from a list made by an expert committee.