India as a summer destination

The winners of India Travel Awards – South list out both the popular and the unconventional tourist spots to visit during summer whilst reiterating the country’s significance as a year-round destination.

Best Tour Operator- Inbound, Cholan Tours

According to Pandian Kumaraval, Director, Cholan Tours, India is definitely a 12-month destination. “We have everything here compared to other places in the world. We have serene beaches throughout India that can be experienced during summers. Prices work out comparatively cheaper during summer season which is an added advantage to promote India during summer. Apart from Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, other destinations haven’t been showcased properly,” he said.

Best MiCE Destination, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa  

M Balaji, CEO, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa, said that lesser known places like Anegundi, smaller temples with historic importance in and around Karnataka especially near Mangalore, Coorg, Malnad, etc, need to be promoted. “The government needs to focus not only at showcasing a destination but also in creating an experience through local art forms or other musical and cultural shows,” he mentioned.

Best Corporate Hotel, The Oterra

Raghu Nair, General Manager, The Oterra feels that hotels must work on seasonal packages to cater to the needs of discerning travellers. He explained, “To promote India as a summer destination, we must focus on cultural festivals and pleasant weather in the colder regions that are sure to lure tourists wanting to enjoy seasonal specialties of the region. From hill stations to beaches to monuments to backwaters to pilgrimage sites and wildlife, India offers a bounty of destinations travellers.”

Best Luxury Hotel, Park Hyatt Chennai

For Vishal Mehra, General Manager, Park Hyatt Chennai, hill stations across all states boast of pleasant climate throughout the year, and with the summer, most of these places become the perfect getaways from the heat and clamour of urban tourist spots. “From scenic hill stations to sunny beaches, from heritage sites in urban destinations to the lush flora of Himalayas, Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats – choices for travellers can truly be found at each and every corner of India,” he said.