Kerala has best tourism board; Bengaluru most preferred city

New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) Kerala was adjudged as having the best State Tourism Board in India by the 'CNBC Awaaz Travel Awards' committee from among contenders like Rajasthan, Kashmir, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

At a glittering ceremony here last night, winners in 18 categories and their sub-categories were felicitated by Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni.

The awards were based on research by the Nielsen Company, the country's leading research organisation, which identified the most preferred tourism brands and desitinations in India.

The award for the best state went to Karnataka while Bengaluru was adjudged the best city. For adventure sports Goa and Shimla were the prize winners.

Health and rejuvenation award went to Shimla while relgious tourism award went to Haridwar. Thekkady in Kerala got the award for wild life and nature while Shimla and Goa got awards for Mountain/Hill development and Beach/Backwaters respectively..

The best international destination proved to be Singapore while the best business hotel went to Taj Palace Hotel.

Taj Mahal Hotel bagged the best lesiure hotel while the most preffered tour operator awards went to SOTC and Cox and Kings. The best historical monument went to the Taj Mahal, Agra.

''The CNBC Awaaz through the travel awards endevours to set industry benchmarks by identifying the most preferred brands and destinations in the country, using an organised research mechanism helping consumers in decision making,'' said a source from CNBC here.

With increasing competition and proliferation of tourist destinations, infrastructure, tourism and promotion boards, with hundreds of travel and other allied services chasing the consumer, it becomes important to establish benchmarks that can help consumers and industry, the source added..

The awards are a collaborative effort of CNBC Awaz with Prozone Liberty International.

UNI