December 21, 2024 16:51 (IST)
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Outlook Traveller Awards names winners
New Delhi, Apr 1 (IBNS): Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Indian Ministry of Tourism presided over the fourth edition of the Outlook Traveller Awards, which concluded on Monday, announcing winners across 40 categories from the world of the travel and hospitality experiences in India, at Dusit Devarana, here.
outlooktraveller.com, with a deadline of Dec 31, 2013.
The survey responses were collected, collated and analyzed by market research company, Ipsos.
This year, two Special Jury awards were instituted: one for Outstanding Contribution for Travel, and the other for the Indian Hotel Debut of the Year.
The jury for the awards comprised of historian and hotelier Aman Nath, co-founder and co-chairman of the Neemrana Hotels, who is widely credited with having pioneered the heritage hotels movement in India.
Travel writers and photographers Gustasp and Jeroo Irani – who, however, believe that the description ‘travel junkies’ suits them better.
Traveller and travel entrepreneur Gauri Jayaram, founder of The Active Holiday Company. She is the author of Wise Enough to Be Foolish, a fictionalized memoir that was released this year.
Travel bloggers Anurag Mallick and Priya Ganapathy, who writes extensively for leading newspapers, magazines and for books and films. They recently authored the Micheline Green Guide Chennai & Tamil Nadu
Veteran Himalayan photographer Ashok Dilwali, some of whose famous Himalayan panoramas were published recently in a remarkable collection called Inspired by the Himalayas.
Multiple award-winning photographer and travel writer Sankar Sridhar, author of Ladakh Trance Himalaya, a visual travelogue spanning a decade of walking across Ladakh and living with nomads and monks.
The winners of Outlook Traveller Awards
Favourite Hillstation : Munnar
Candolim has always been a favourite among Outlook Traveller readers, seeing how consistently it shows up in the list of favourite beaches. Situated in north Goa, the beach has the best of the shacks, music, food, art and trinkets, not to forget the deep blue sea, warm sunshine and the sand.
Favourite Tourist City: Jaipur
There’s something eternal about the Taj Mahal, and it appears to us that there’s something eternal about the place it occupies in the annual Outlook Traveller readers’ survey as the best-managed heritage destination. The ‘teardrop on the cheek of time’ has always been a must-see on every traveller’s wish list.
Favourite Romantic Destination: Goa
Devotees flock by the thousands to Vaishno Devi, their faith blinding them to the perils of the climb up to the shrine. In this year’s survey, the site in Jammu and Kashmir has moved up a notch to become the most popular pilgrimage site in India.
Favourite Adventure Tourism Destination: Ladakh
There has been a diving boom in the Andamans in the past few years, and leading the line with its affordable rates and expert guiding is DiveIndia, making it the best adventure tour operator in the country.
Favourite National Park: Corbett
Based in West Bengal and focusing on eastern and north-eastern India, Help Tourism, in its third decade, continues to set a shining example of showcasing traditional lifestyles and involving local people too boost responsible and fun tourism.
Favourite Asian Destination: Thailand
Switzerland is something of an evergreen tourist paradise. The Alpine country retains its allure among our readers, and has emerged as the most preferred international destination in Europe. It doesn’t take much if you’re the most picturesque country and, well, the queen of the world.
Favourite Foreign Destination in the Rest of the World: New Zealand
This is again a category that has many worthy entries, but MakeMyTrip, the oldest and the most experienced of the bunch, is also the most popular. From tickets to tours, it truly is a ‘one-stop’ portal.
Favourite Cruise: Royal Caribbean
World.
Favourite Upcoming Destination In India: Andamans
For the longest time, Turkey was synonymous with Istanbul, but with increasing focus on such stunning places like Cappadocia and the Black Sea, Turkey is emerging as a foreign favourite
Favourite Domestic Airline: IndiGo Airlines
Founded in 1985, the Dubai-based Emirates has over the past three decades built up a strong brand name as a leader in the international aviation industry, particularly in terms of service excellence, and its very rapid growth.
Favourite International Airlines with Best Service : Emirates
The sharp rise in India’s air passenger traffic in recent years has meant that the nation’s capital needed a world-class international airport. And the Indira Gandhi International Airport does an admirable job of it. It’s justifiably emerged as India’s best domestic airport.
Favourite International Airport: Changi Airport, Singapore
The travel experience experience that it offers and the innovative itineraries it draws up make Cox&Kings quite simply the premiere international tour operator among those who bring foreign tourists to Indian shores.
Favourite Outbound Tour Operator: Cox&Kings
There are plenty of good travel operators in the country, but Aquaterra’s wide reach—from climbing peaks to rafting the toughest rivers—and meticulous personalised planning makes it the best boutique operator in India.
Favourite Medical Tourism Facility: Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, Malappuram
Hearing praises sung of this exotic land in Amitabh Bachchan’s rich baritone voice is enough to make most of us drop everything and plan a visit to the state. An unsurprising winner.
Favourite Luxury Hotel In India: The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Once the haunt of the Nizams and European aristocracy, this ode to princely extravagance continues to be voted the best heritage hotel in the country. Beautifully restored rooms, Venetian chandeliers, royal gardens and palaces, this 120-year-old property never ceases to amaze.
Favourite Indian Mid- Range Hotel : Kurumba Village Resort, Nilgiris
Whether you want plantation walks or birding or coracle rides on hand or just want to relax and luxuriate with rejuvination therapies, or just kick back with a book in gorgeous surroundings, Orange County resort has it all
Favourite Indian Budget Hotel : Ginger
India’s first destination spa is set in enchanting environs: in a 100-acre estate in the Himalayan hills, overlooking the Ganga and close to Rishikesh and Hardwar. And it is considered among the best spas in the world.
Favourite Indian Hotel Restaurant: Wasabi by Morimoto, The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai
Chef Ananda, as he is known, is something of a maestro. He is reputed for exploring new styles and innovating. And he has justifiably won many international awards for his endeavours
Favourite Indian Business Hotel : ITC Grand Central, Mumbai
The bright lights and fast-paced life of Bangkok come to a halt in the riverside oasis that is the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Sophisticated to the core, the hotel is well-known for its excellent service, contemporary design and uber chic spaces.
Favourite European Hotel: Lausanne Palace and Spa, Lausanne, Switzerland
Situated some 8,800 feet above sea level in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalaya in Gulmarg, the Khyber Himalaya Resort & Spa has taken luxury to new heights, literally. The property is spread over seven unspoilt, fir-laden acres, with majestic views of the Affarwat Peaks.
The India that most tourists see is the one with ancient architecture, busy bazaars and sunny beaches. There is another India, which is simpler (but the more beautiful for it), where the tourist actually meets the real charm of India: its people. The experience is of the huge diversity of cultures, cuisines, music and a thousand other small pleasures. Travel Another India aspires to bring this unique experience to the urban traveller, including those with disabilities.
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