The award was in association with Cox & King Ltd and Delhi Tourism, Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Kerala Tourism and Maharashtra Tourism as its Principal Partner State and Punjab Tourism as the Cultural Partner.

At this occasion the chief guest of the evening Alphons Kannanthanam, Hon’ble Minister of State (IC) Ministry of Tourism, on the occasion he quoted, “It’s been my pleasure to be associated with Hospitality India, where the industry get acknowledged for their contribution to tourism industry of India. I believe together we all can take the sector to another level. Our country’s heritage is Incredible and contributes 70% of the tourism of India. Tourists who came here feel wonderful and consider India as ‘Incredible India’ and we are proud of our nation”.

13th Hospitality India and Explore the World Annual International Travel Awards 2017 recognised itself as a platform to honour the stars and the captains of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Sector.

The awards not only acknowledged the Hospitality sector but also the deserving leaders from sectors like Education, Real Estate, Hospital, Hotels & Restaurants, Airlines, etc. Every year Hospitality India takes the initiative to mine out the hardworking nominees and acknowledge that the recipients of the awards are best-in-class.

The awards program also included cultural programs, dance performances and ramp walk by experienced models of the industry.

Suneet Kalra, Managing Director, Hospitality India & Explore the World, said, “I am quiet ecstatic with the continuous success of our annual national and international awards which aims to recognize the achievements and growth of hospitality and tourism sector. We intend to captivate the attention towards Indian tourism sector and aim to put it on global platform. This concept of an elaborate award ceremony was founded by my late father
Shri DL Kalra to redefine hospitality sector and take it to new heights. I am just taking my father’s dream forward and hope to make his dream bigger and bigger with each passing year.”

Rajni Kalra, Executive Editor, Hospitality India & Explore the World, said, “Our awards event has always aimed to recognize everyone who has contributed to the travel and tourism sector. Our group has never discriminated between a small travel agency and a big hotel. We have always appreciated those who have contributed to the hospitality and travel sector – be it on a small or large scale.”

Awardees

Award for “Legend - Hotels and Luxury Hospitality” Mr. Rajiv Kaul, president The Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts Sahar, Mumbai,

Award for “Best Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Organization” Mrs. Ravneet Kaur - IAS Chairperson & Managing Director – ITDC

Award for “Most Preferred Business Hotel-Mumbai” Mr. Punish B Sharma, Area General Manager Meluha The Fern & Rodas Hotel Powai Mumbai,

Award for “Best Naturopathy Ayurvedic Hospital” Mr. Subhash Jagga, President Swami Parmanand Prakritik Chikitsalaya Yoga Avam Anusandhan Kendra (SPPC) New Delhi

Award for  “Best Luxury Wedding & Mice hotel” Mr Hemant Mehta, General Manager Radisson Blu Kaushambi Delhi – NCR

Award for “Best inbound tour operator for USA" Mr. Akarsh Kolaprath, Founder  7M Tours – USA

Award for “BEST DMC - THAILAND (Indian Market)" Mr. Vineeth Andrew, Director Magi Holidays – Thailand

Award for “Innovation in Travel Technology” Mr. Neelkanth Pararath Managing Director,

Award for “Best Luxury Hotel” Dr. Ramesh Kapur Chairman & Managing Director Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport.