IHCL hotels sweep the star hotel honoursat Telangana Tourism Awards as 29 categories are awarded on World Tourism Day
Hyderabad’s best-known palaces, hotels, tour operators and attractions took centre stage at the Telangana State Tourism Awards 2026, presented at Sampradaya Vedika, Shilparamam, as part of the World Tourism Day celebrations on September 26-27. Taj Falaknuma Palace, Taj Deccan, Ramoji Film City, Garuda Tourism and Hyderabad Tours and Travels were among the biggest names honoured across 29 categories that covered hotels, restaurants, resorts, amusement parks, travel agencies and tourism education.
Mr. Juppally Krishna rao, Minister for Tourism, Government of India presenting the Telangana State Tourism award for Best Tour Operator to Mr. Maruthi Mhetre, Founder Chairman and Mrs. Malashree Mhetre, Managing Director of Hyderabad Tours and Travels in the presence of Ms. A. Vani Prasad, Special Chief Secretary- Tourism, Government of Telengana and Ms. L. Ranjeet Nayak, IFS, Director of Tourism, Telangana.
The event was organised by the Telangana Tourism Department under the theme “Digital Agenda – Reimagining Tourism with Artificial Intelligence”, reflecting the state’s push to bring AI and digital platforms into the visitor experience.
Star hotels: IHCL Hyderabad leads the field
The star hotels category belonged to the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) cluster in Hyderabad, which collected a consecutive streak of four awards across its hotels.
- Taj Falaknuma Palace won the supreme title of Best Palace in the Heritage category (Classified Hotels, 5-Star and above).
- Taj Deccan was named Best 5 Star Hotel in the Classified category.
- Golden Dragon at Taj Krishna and Thai Pavilion at Vivanta, Begumpet shared the award for Best Restaurant serving International Cuisine.
In the other classified segments, Hotel Abode, Lakdikapul, won in the 4-Star category within Hyderabad, and Minerva Grand, Secunderabad, took the 3-Star honour. Town Square Suites, Shamshabad, and Hotel Sannidhi Emerald, Yadagirigutta, were recognised among classified hotels outside Hyderabad.
Ramoji Film City, Garuda Tourism and Hyderabad Tours in the spotlight
Ramoji Film City received the award for Best Civic Management of a Tourist Destination, its second win this decade after an earlier honour in 2021. A.V. Rao, Vice President of Ramoji Film City, accepted the award from Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and credited teamwork and strong leadership support for the achievement.
In the travel trade, Garuda Tourism and Hyderabad Tours and Travels were honoured in the Best Tour Operator category. Hyderabad Tours and Travels also carried the title of Best Tour Operator and Travel Agent in Telangana State 2026. Asli Hyderabad, a heritage experience product, won Best Innovative Tourism Product.
Minister’s comments
Addressing the gathering, Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said technology can transform the way travellers experience the state, and that the government has already built the digital foundation for it.
“We have developed a comprehensive, modern digital platform that allows tourists to seamlessly access detailed information on destinations, attractions, travel packages, and local programs across the state.” – Jupally Krishna Rao, Minister for Tourism, Telangana
The Minister described tourism promotion as a collective social responsibility and noted that the Telangana Tourism Policy 2025-30 aims to attract investments worth Rs 50,000 crore and generate five lakh jobs.
“Our goal is to firmly position Telangana as a premier destination for both domestic and international travellers.” – Jupally Krishna Rao, Minister for Tourism, Telangana
Chief Guest and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka reaffirmed the government’s focus on upgrading tourism, with targeted development in eco-tourism, temple tourism, rural tourism and health tourism. He also suggested corporate “tourism coupons” to encourage IT professionals to take weekend trips to nature destinations.
Full list of Telangana Tourism Excellence Award winners 2026
| Category | Winner(s) |
| Classified Hotels, 5-Star and above (Heritage Category) | Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad |
| Classified Hotels, 5-Star and above | Taj Deccan, Hyderabad |
| Classified Hotels, 4-Star (Within Hyderabad) | Hotel Abode, Lakdikapul, Hyderabad |
| Classified Hotels, 3-Star (Within Hyderabad) | Minerva Grand, Secunderabad |
| Non-Classified Hotels (Within Hyderabad) | Taj Mahal Hotel, Panjagutta; Hotel One Continent, Abids |
| Classified Hotels (Outside Hyderabad) | Town Square Suites, Shamshabad; Hotel Sannidhi Emerald, Yadagirigutta |
| Best Restaurant | Taj Mahal Hotel, Abids |
| Best Restaurant (Outside Hyderabad) | Feast House, Suryapet |
| Best Restaurant within Classified Hotels | Terrace Rooftop Bar, Hyderabad |
| Bars and Lounges | Pavva, Jubilee Hills |
| Best Restaurant Serving Regional Cuisine | Rasa By Ashoka, Tangedu, Vivaha Bhojanambu |
| Best Restaurant Serving International Cuisine | Thai Pavilion (Vivanta, Begumpet); Golden Dragon (Taj Krishna) |
| Best Multi-Cuisine Restaurant (Within Hyderabad) | Quality Inn Residency, Nampally |
| Best Multi-Cuisine Restaurant (Outside Hyderabad) | Akshaya Family Restaurant, Siddipet |
| Best Resort | Summer Green Resort, Medchal |
| Best Wayside Amenities | 7 Midway Plaza (Nalgonda); Vivera Private Limited (Bhuvanagiri) |
| Best Amusement Park | Wonderla Holidays Limited (Hyderabad); KAC Wild Waters (Shankarpally) |
| Best Innovative Tourism Product | Asli Hyderabad (Prathima Tours and Travels / G. Nagarathnam Naidu) |
| Best Innovative Tourism Product (Government Sector) | Bhadragiri Mart, Bhadrachalam |
| Best Tourism Film | Pathala Bhairavi Concepts (DSN Film Sound Box FM) |
| Excellence – Best Publication (English) | Dr Neeraj Gohil (National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management) |
| Best Tour Operator | Garuda Tourism; Hyderabad Tours and Travels |
| Best Travel Agents | R.V. Tours and Travels Private Limited |
| Best Tourism Guide | J. Sainath |
| Best Educational Institution in Tourism (Public Sector) | Institute of Hotel Management, Hyderabad |
| Best Educational Institution in Tourism (Private Sector) | Institute of Hotel Management Sri Shakti, Hyderabad |
| Best Yuva Tourism Club | Chakali Ailamma Women’s University |
| Best Civic Management of a Tourist Destination | Ramoji Film City |
| Best Haritha Hotel | The Plaza, Begumpet; Haritha Eco-Tourism Resort, Jannaram |
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