“Tourism is not peripheral to India’s 2047 ambitions — it is central to them. With a growing middle class, a young demographic dividend, and the tourism economy projected to reach $1–3 trillion by 2047, the opportunity is historic. What makes the outlook compelling is the healthy competition emerging among states — each striving to sharpen their proposition, improve destination management, and elevate the visitor experience”, said one of the jury members – Arvind Singh, IAS (Retd).
Addressing the gathering, Ravi Gosain, Chairman, FICCI Tourism Committee, said, “As we look toward 2047, tourism is poised to be a cornerstone of India’s GDP, and events like GITB are the platform that will get us there. The Excellence Awards today are our way of acknowledging the stakeholders and state tourism departments who make this industry what it is.”
The awards were adjudicated by an eminent jury panel comprising distinguished leaders from across the travel and tourism ecosystem — Arvind Singh (IAS, Retd.), Ravi Gosain (President, IATO), Meena Bhatia (Vice President & General Manager, Le Meridien), Ankush Nijhawan (Co-Founder, TBO.com), and Lakshmi Sarath (Author & Travel Blogger— bringing together expertise spanning policy, hospitality, trade associations, technology, and travel media to ensure a rigorous and credible evaluation of all nominations
The national awards spanned 23 categories recognising excellence across India’s travel landscape, covering digital booking platforms, B2B travel portals, cruise lines, luxury and heritage hospitality, business and wedding hotels, state tourism destinations, MICE, destination marketing, culture and heritage, wellness, sustainable tourism, outbound and inbound tour operations, adventure travel, responsible tourism initiatives, and technology-driven travel startups — culminating in special individual recognitions for contribution to tourism and leadership excellence.
| Award Category | Winner / Awardee |
|---|---|
| Best B2B Travel Portal | TBO Tek Limited (tbo.com) |
| Best Online Booking Platform in Travel | MakeMyTrip.com |
| Leading Domestic Cruise Line | Cordelia Cruises |
| Best Luxury Heritage Hotel | Suryagarh, Jaisalmer |
| Best Luxury Resort | St. Regis, Goa |
| Best Business Hotel | Oberoi, Gurgaon |
| Best Wedding Hotel | Rambagh Palace, Jaipur |
| Leading Tourism Destination | Madhya Pradesh |
| Best Emerging Tourism Destination | Chhattisgarh |
| Outstanding Contribution in Tourism Development | Odisha |
| Best MICE Destination | Goa |
| Best Destination Marketing Campaign | Gujarat |
| Best Culture & Heritage Destination | Tamil Nadu |
| Best Wellness Resort | Carnoustie Ayurveda Wellness Resort |
| Best Sustainable Hotel | Waghoba Ecolodge & Barefoot at Havelock |
| Best Outbound Tour Operator | Veena World |
| Best Domestic Tour Operator | Rustik Travel |
| Best Adventure Tour Operator | Shikhar Travels India Pvt Ltd & IBEX Expeditions |
| Best Inbound Tour Operator | Creative Travel |
| Best Tech-Based Travel Startup | tripXOXO by TravelPort |
| Best Responsible Tourism Initiative | Village Ways |
| Special Contribution for Tourism | Smt. Mina Tilakraj, Storyteller Guide of India |
| Excellence in Leadership | Shri Anil Chadha, MD, ITC Hotels |
Additionally, the Rajasthan segment celebrated the state’s finest across 11 competitive categories, encompassing 5-star, 4-star, and budget hotels, heritage properties, wedding venues, restaurants, tour operators, travel startups, and eco-tourism initiatives — with special contribution awards recognising individuals whose dedication has been instrumental in shaping Rajasthan as a world-class tourism destination.
| Award Category | Winner | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Best 5 Star Hotel | Oberoi Udai Vilas, Udaipur | Fairmont, Jaipur |
| Best 4 Star Hotel | Mahua Bagh, Kumbhalgarh | The Jai Bagh Palace, Jaipur |
| Best Hotel (1–3 Star) | Shrisiddhpuram, Kumbhalgarh | Utsav Camp Sariska |
| Best Wedding Hotel | Suryagarh, Jaisalmer | Mundota Fort & Palace |
| Best Restaurant | Ambrai, Udaipur | Tapri, Jaipur |
| Best Heritage Hotel | Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur | Taj Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur |
| Best Tour Operator | Rajathan Routes Trails | Registhan Tours |
| Best Travel Startup | Thrilophila, Jaipur | Sembark |
| Best Eco Tourism Initiative | Chunda Shikar Oudi Bakheda | Sangam Farms, Bhilwara |
| Special Contribution to Rajasthan Tourism | Smt. Faith Singh | — |
| Special Contribution to Rajasthan Tourism | Shri Abhimanyu Singh | — |
This first edition of Travel & Tourism Excellence Awards has set a strong benchmark of credibility and aspiration for the industry. This year’s edition at GITB 2026 was notable for the diversity of awardees — spanning technology startups and storied palace hotels, coastal getaways and Himalayan expeditions, state tourism bodies and individual champions. Together, they paint a portrait of an industry that is dynamic, resilient, and deeply committed to raising the bar.
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