By Yogi John Radja
Cholan Tours, Trichy, proudly secured the gold award for the title of the Best Domestic Tour Operator, while Travel XS Pvt. Ltd. Chennai clinched the coveted gold for the distinction of being the Best Inbound Tour Operator. Parveen Travels Pvt. Ltd. retained its esteemed position in the Best Travel Partner category. ITC Grand Chola was honored with the 5-star category award for Best Classified Hotel, and Courtyard by Marriott Madurai earned the title of the Best Classified Hotel in the 4-star category.
INDeco Hotels, Swamimalai, received the prestigious gold award for the Best Heritage Hotel, and Gem Park Ooty was recognized as the best-classified hotel in the 3-star category.
Mr. K. Ramachandran, the Minister of Tourism for the Government of Tamil Nadu, had the honor of presenting the esteemed Tamil Nadu State Tourism Awards alongside his ministerial colleagues: Mr. P. K. Sekar Babu, Minister for Charitable Endowments; Mr. M. Subramaniam, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Department; and Mr. K. S. Masthan, Minister for Minority Welfare and Overseas Tamil Welfare.
On Wednesday, September 27, Tourism Minister K. Ramachandran revealed that Chennai had received a total of 122,188 foreign tourists by July this year. Additionally, the Chengalpet district, home to Mahabalipuram, welcomed 57,672 visitors. Speaking at an event where 54 tourism agencies, including private firms, government agencies, and tour operators, were honored by the Tamil Nadu government, the minister outlined ambitious plans for the tourism sector.
“The department is committed to contributing 12% of the state’s total revenue in the coming days. Furthermore, the tourism department, along with its affiliated departments, will endeavor to generate 25 lakh jobs for the youth in the state,” he announced. The minister also highlighted efforts to attract investments worth Rs 20,000 crore and initiate skill development programs benefiting three lakh workers.
Ramachandran disclosed plans to establish recreational tourism destinations in Kanyakumari, Madurai, Tiruchi, and Coimbatore, with the addition of a 100-acre theme park.
The event also acknowledged the creativity of individuals who produced tourism-related videos, with 24 recipients receiving prizes and certificates.
Dr. K. Manivasan, IAS., Principal Secretary to the Government in the Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowments Department, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, and Mr. Sandeep Nanduri, IAS, Director of Tourism and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Development Corporation, expressed gratitude in his vote of thanks.
Cholan Tours continued to impress by securing the silver award for the Best Inbound Tour Operator. Catherine Travels and Tours received the Rising Star award in both the inbound and domestic tour operator categories. Rengha Holidays Tourism Pvt. Ltd. earned the silver award in the domestic tour operator category, and Neemrana’s Bungalow on the Beach – 17th Century, Tranquebar, was honored with the silver award in the Heritage Hotel section.
The Best Theme Resort award was bestowed upon the Residency Towers, Rameswaram, and the title of Best Beach Resort was claimed by Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay – Mamallapuram. Kaldan Samudhra Palace, Mamallapuram, was recognized with the Silver award in the Best Beach Resort category. Annai Resorts and Spa, Kanniyakumari, received the Rising Star award as the Best Beach Resort. In the category of Best Plantation Resort, the Gold award was presented to Stanmore Garden Bungalow, Valparai, and the Silver award went to Green Nest Resort, Kotagiri. Hotel Regency Tirunelveli by GRT Hotels was named the Best Budget Hotel. Fairy Glen, Coonoor, Akshada Fortune, Kodaikanal, and Magnolia Bed and Breakfast, Ooty, jointly shared the gold award for the Best Bed and Breakfast category. The Best Homestay award was shared by Criston Homestay, Madurai, and Madhuvan’s Agam and Jungle Survival, Yercaud.
The Thanjavur district administration was honored with the gold award in the category of the Best Tourism Promotion Award for Best District, and Mr. Dinesh Ponraj Oliver IAS was recognized as the Best District Collector.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Kurusadai Island Ramanathapuram, and TTDC Blue Flag Beach, Kovalam, were jointly named the Cleanest Tourism Destination. Storytrails was recognized as the Best Niche Tourism Operator, and Eagle Dare Adventures, Ooty, earned the title of Best Adventure Tourism Operator.
Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, was declared the Best Medical and Wellness Tourism Establishment, and Luxeglamp Eco Farm Stays, Poombarai, was honored as the Best Camping Site Operator.
The winners for the other categories are
Best Restaurant
Best Theme Restaurant – Ministry of Chutneys – Radisson Blu GRT Chennai
Best Traditional Cuisine Restaurant – Southern Spice at Taj Coromandel (Gold) and Sree Annapoorna Sree Gowrishankar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. Coimbatore (Silver)
Best Multicuisine Restaurant – Pumpkin Tales Restaurant & Bakery, Chennai
Best Continental Restaurant – Ottimo Cucina Italiana – ITC Grand Chola
Best Pan Asian Restaurant – Chin Chin, The Residency Chennai
Best MICE Venue – Chennai Trade Centre Of Tamil Nadu Trade Promotion
Organization
Best MICE Organizer – GSS Torque Entertainment LLP
Best Advertisement on Tamil Nadu- 44th FIDE International Chess Olympiad 2022 by Evoke Media
Best Tourism Promotion Publicity Material – Mogappu by Amar Ramesh
Best Educational Institution for Tourism and Hospitality – SRM Institute of Hotel Management, Kattankulathu
Best Tourist Guide (South) – Manikandan S – Sivagangai
Best Tourist Guide (Central) – Chellakannu G. – Madurai
Best Tourist Guide (East) – Saravanan Krishnamoorthy – Thanjavur
Best Tourist Guide (North) – Balan V. – Mamallapuram
Best Tourist Guide (West) – Sivakumar R. – Nilgiris
Best Social Media Influencer – Gingee Traveller Devakumar Murugan and TN Explorer
Sabareeswaran
TTDC Star Performers
Premium Hotel – Hotel Tamil Nadu – Madurai Unit 2
Budget Hotel – Hotel Tamil Nadu – Kanniyakumari
Boat House – Muttukadu Boat House
The event marked several significant launches, including the registration of tour operators, travel agents, and tourist transport operators, as well as the introduction of the Tamil Nadu Tourist Guide Registration Scheme. The night was further embellished by the prestigious TN Tourism Awards, which recognized excellence across 17 categories, honoring 54 deserving awardees.
The excitement continued with the acknowledgment of the recipients of the WOW TN Awards 2022 and the unveiling of the fourth edition of WOW TN. To add to the festivities, the winners of the ‘Made of Chennai’ photo contest were honored, showcasing the vibrant creative spirit of the city.
The evening served as a celebration of tourism, innovation, and talent, capturing the essence of Tamil Nadu’s unwavering commitment to the world of travel and exploration.
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