ETW STAFF – New Delhi
Andhra Pradesh has bagged the best state award for comprehensive development of tourism in the rest of India category of National Tourism Award 2011-12. The Best Heritage city award has gone to Warangal (AP). Amritsar Heritage Walk and Delhi Heritage Walk have been declared joint winner of the best Heritage Walk Award. Announcing these awards in New Delhi, union tourism minister K Chiranjeevi said every year the categories of awards are reviewed with new categories being added to recognise excellence in diverse fields, in accordance with the requirements of changing times. He said that it is an ongoing endeavour of the ministry to diversify the tourism products of the country by developing and promoting new niche segments, so as to attract different categories of tourists with diverse interests and to promote India as a year – round destination. In keeping with this thrust of the ministry, new categories of awards for ‘Medical Tourism Facilities’ and for ‘Tour Operators Promoting Niche Segments’ had been introduced in 2011.
The tourism minister said in an attempt to encourage states and Union Territories to adopt effective mechanisms for maintaining cleanliness at tourist destinations, a new category of award for ‘Best State : Campaign Clean India’ was introduced in 2012. New categories of awards for ‘Best Heritage City’ and ‘Best Heritage Walk” were also introduced in 2012. He said recognising the importance of cinema as a powerful tool for the development and promotion of the destinations, the ministry has instituted a National Tourism Award for ‘Best Tourism Film’.
