VV Kamat receives lifetime contribution award

Mumbai, Mar 11: The International Council of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) today honoured Mr. Vithal Venkatesh Kamat, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Kamat Hotels India Limited (KHIL) with the “Hall of Fame Lifetime Contribution in Hospitality Industry" award at Saal 9 at the annual ITB Convention in Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. International council of Pacific area travel writers association.

The aim of the PATWA Award is to honour entrepreneurs who make an invaluable contribution in the tourism&hospitality industry. Kamat Hotels is today a large hospitality business group with interests in luxury and budget hotels, restaurants, catering, travel and educational institutions. About Mr Kamat, who has been an innovator in the hospitality industry for close to four decades, the citation read, 'we are honored to present the award for the substantial contribution Mr. Kamat has made for the hospitality industry".

As a recipient of more than 50 awards, Mr. Kamat is a much honoured person. He is a distinguished entrepreneur and a multifaceted person with varying interests and has authored books in Marathi on his initiatives. He is a keen environmentalist and this has rubbed off on his professional life as well: all Kamat hotel properties have stringent eco-friendly policies.

In 2007, Mr. Kamat received the PATWA International Award for the Best chain hotel for Eco Tourism for Orchid Hotel. In recent years, he has been received the CII-ITC Sustainability Award 2007 – Commendation Certificate for Strong Commitment among Medium Business Organization, the Today"s Traveler Achievement award for “Innovative Hospitality Concepts 2003, and “The Business Man of the Year" by the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce. Adding to these achievements, he was also felicitated by Galileo as the best CEO and received a special Indian Express Editors Choice Award in 2004.

Mr Kamat expressed his gratitude and delight at receiving the prestigious award: “I thank ITB for this honour. It is a wonderful feeling to be acknowledged by your peers, and this award will motivate us to do even better. There is tremendous potential for innovative concepts and service excellence. As a part of our continued commitment, KHIL has recently introduced three niche hotel chains in India; 'VITS", the luxury business hotel chain, 'Lotus Resorts" and 'Gadh Hotels" that are based in forts. We will continue to offer top quality hospitality services to travelers"

With more than 180,000 visitors from 180 countries, ITB Berlin has become one of the most sought after trade&travel shows in the world. As a driving force in the travel industry, ITB Berlin gives important impulses to a continuously growing market. Like every year industry decision makers met again at the leading think tank of the global tourism industry. This year, the four-day convention took place at the ITB Berlin from March 05-08, 2008.

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