Goa Tourism powers ahead with two honours at National Tourism Awards

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Panjim, September 28: Goa Tourism carved itself a milestone this World Tourism Day. For the first time in its history,  the State  has bagged two prestigious National Awards  for 2015-16– Most Innovative use of Information Technology: Social Media/Mobile App by Goa Tourism Development  Corporation  and  Best State/UT Comprehensive Development  of Tourism (Rest of India)(Third Prize – Joint  Winner).

The two  prestigious National Tourism Awards were presented  to Goa by the  Hon’ble  President  of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind at a glittering function at Vigyan Bhavan   in New Delhi today. The award ceremony was presided over  by the  Hon’ble Minister  of State  (Independent charge) for Tourism, Mr. Alphons Kannanthanam.

The NTA function coincided with the occasion of World Tourism Day, 27th September 2017. The awards were received by the Hon’ble Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Mr. Nilesh Cabral and Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Nikhil Desai.

The NTA awards have been instituted since 1990 and presented to State governments/UTs and  several other tourism bodies in recognition of their performance in  the respective fields of travel, tourism and hospitality encouraging healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism.  During the last five years, Goa Tourism has powered several campaigns on Goa as an Ideal Wedding Tourism Destination, Goa as a Monsoon Destination, Goa as an Adventure tourism destination etc.

The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar today said, “I  am extremely  happy and congratulate  the Department  of Tourism and Goa Tourism  Development  Corporation  for  their  outstanding performance which has brought name and fame  to Goa Tourism. I congratulate Chairman of GTDC, Mr.  Nilesh Cabral and his dedicated team for   adopting various initiatives one of which has brought this   a huge laurel in the category of Innovative Use of Information Technology.  I wish Goa Tourism many more awards and laurels.”

Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman  of Goa  Tourism Development  Corporation said, “ I am  extremely honoured  today to receive  such a huge recognition from the President  of India  for  the Corporation’s  innovative  initiative.  During the last five years,   under my chairmanship,  the GTDC has  worked  in the  right  direction  and  has give  a new face to  Goa Tourism.  I take this  opportunity  to congratulate the entire  team  at GTDC and  Dept.  of Tourism  for working  wholeheartedly  in this  endeavour  and  seek continued support from everyone in the future.”

About the Awards:

Most Innovative Use of Information Technology- Social Media/Mobile App

This was for a campaign  run  for the tourists  and  by the tourists  ‘Tourism  by Tourists’ which was aimed  at building  the longest running  digital testimonial campaign  for a travel brand. The goal of the campaign was to raise credibility for the State through travellers’ opinions and online publishers (bloggers/photographers/magazines etc).

Best State/UT ‘Comprehensive Development of Tourism (Rest of India) (Third Prize Joint Winner)

This award recognizes Goa as a dream tourist destination for all tourists visiting this State.  It highlights Goa as   a beach tourism destination along with other tourism facets namely bird watching, waterfalls, religious tourism, eco -tourism etc.

 

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