TravTalk India Online Magazine
The India Travel Awards 2024, held at the esteemed Sofitel Mumbai BKC on August 13th, was a resounding triumph, bringing together the crème de la crème of the travel and hospitality industry to pay tribute to exemplary leaders and achievers. This prestigious event recognised and celebrated the trailblazers who have made significant contributions to India’s thriving tourism landscape, setting new benchmarks for the industry.
The event commenced with a compelling keynote address delivered by the Chief Guest David Matthews, First Secretary, Head of Financial Services, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, British Deputy High Commission. Distinguished guests unveiled the India Travel Awards’ inaugural coffee table book, “ESG & Sustainable Practices in Tourism”, a testament to the industry’s commitment to environmentally conscious and socially responsible travel.
The event had Guest of Honours – Dr Sagnik Chowdhury, Deputy Director General and Regional Director (West & Central India), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, General Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
| 1 | Gallery of Legends | Madhavan Menon, Executive Chairman, Thomas Cook India |
| 2 | DDP Trailblazer | Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI & HRAWI and Director, Maharaja Hotels and Restaurants |
| 3 | DDP Game Changer | Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder & CCO, Akasa Air |
| 4 | Face of the Future | Neil Patil, Founder & Director, Veena World |
| 5 | Airline Professional of the Year | Sunil V A, Regional Vice President – ISC & FE, Oman Air |
| 6 | Outstanding Leadership in Luxury Hospitality | Manish Dayya, General Manager, Sofitel Mumbi BKC |
| 7 | Pioneer in Industry Advocacy | Jay Bhatia, Managing Director, Tulsidas Khimji Holidays |
| 8 | Dynamic Leadership in Brand Expansion | Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Mumbai |
| 9 | Transformational Leader of the Year | Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director & CEO, Aeroprime Group |
| 10 | Brand Launch Excellence Award | Sandipan Bose, General Manager, Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekayaa Udaipur |
| 11 | General Manager of the Year – Luxury Brands | Shafee Ahmed, Cluster General Manager, Gokulam Grand Hotel & Spa, Bangalore |
| 12 | Emerging Leader Travel Startup | Jatinder Paul Singh, Co-Founder & CEO, Viacation Tourism |
| 13 | Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year | K S Sachin, Director of Sales & Marketing, Gokulam Grand Hotel & Spa, Bangalore |
| 14 | Process Excellence in Visa Outsourcing | VFS Global |
| 15 | Best Inbound Tour Operator-Australia | Turtle Down Under |
| 16 | Fastest Growing Travel Company | Fly24hrs |
| 17 | Best Airport | GMR Hyderabad International Airport |
| 18 | Best Destination Wedding Resort in Udaipur | The Ananta Udaipur |
| 19 | Fastest Growing B2B Travel Portal | E Trav |
| 20 | Best Tourism Board for Experiential Travel | VisitBritain |
| 21 | Best Wedding and MICE Hotel | Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre & JECC-Managed by Accor |
| 22 | Best MICE Tour Operator-West India | Axplore Travelplus |
| 23 | Most Promising African Airline | EgyptAir |
| 24 | Outstanding Contribution to Cultural Tourism | Tourism Office of Spain – Mumbai |
| 25 | Customer Excellence Award | Amadeus |
| 26 | Best Upscale Hotel Chain | Fortune Park Hotels |
| 27 | Best Business Hotel | Jaipur Marriott Hotel |
| 28 | Best MICE Hotel – South India | Crowne Plaza Kochi |
| 29 | Best Emerging TMC in India | Cozmo Travel |
| 30 | Best African Tourism Board | South African Tourism |
| 31 | Luxury Resort of the Year | Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekayaa Udaipur |
| 32 | Best Luxury Hotel – Madhya Pradesh | Anjushree Hotel, Ujjain |
| 33 | Most Promising MICE Tour Operator | Travelsukham |
| 34 | Best International Group Tour Operator | Kesari Tours |
| 35 | Best Travel Brand – South India | GT Holidays |
| 36 | Best Wedding and MICE Resort- Maharashtra | Grape County Eco Resort & Spa |
| 37 | Most Promising Hotel Management College | BGS Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore |
| 38 | Best Customised Tour Operator | GET SET GO TRAVEL |
| 39 | Best Transporter – Europe | Sasta Europe |
| 40 | Best Midscale Hotel in Goa | Summit Calangute Resort & Spa, Goa |
| 41 | Leader in DMC Services | Eagle Crest DMC |
| 42 | Leading Hotel Chain for Business Travellers | Lords Hotels & Resorts |
| 43 | Fastest Growing Tour Operator | APS Destinations |
| 44 | Best B2B Tour Operator | Cosima Holidays India |
| 45 | Best Health and Wellness Ayurveda Retreat | Fazlani Nature’s Nest, The Wellness Retreat |
| 46 | Best Resort – Bengaluru | The Odyssey Retreat Resort, Bengaluru |
| 47 | Best Luxury Holiday Planner | Staunch International |
| 48 | Travel Agency of the Year | Unimoni Financial Services |
| 49 | Most Promising Regional Association | South India Hotels & Restaurants Association (SIHRA) |
| 50 | Leading Passenger GSA of the Year | Aeroprime Group |
| 51 | Best Wedding and MICE Hotel Karnataka | Gokulam Grand Hotel & Spa, Bangalore |
| 52 | Excellence in Responsible Tourism Practices | Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation |
| 53 | Best Holiday Homes – South India | BayWatch Stayzz |
| 54 | Best Business Travel Platform | Fly24hrs |
| 55 | Most Innovative Tourism Board | Singapore Tourism Board |
| 57 | Premier Luxury Wedding Venue | Fairmont Jaipur |
| 57 | India’s Most Promising B2B Visa Service Provider | Airocity Visas (A unit of Airocity Holidays) |
| 58 | Best Tour Operator – West India | Dewberry Holidays LLP |
| 59 | Best Domestic Tour Operator – Private Trains | South Star Rail |
| 60 | Fastest Growing Leisure Destination | DCT Abu Dhabi |
| 61 | Best Business Tour Operator | Red Carpet Tours |
| 62 | Customer Service Excellence for Outbound Tourism | Travel2agent Oneworld |
| 63 | Best Luxury Business Hotel – West India | Sofitel Mumbai BKC |
| 64 | Gifting Partner | Kettro Gourmet Gifts |
