India bags Asia's leading destination prize

New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) India has bagged the prestigious award for the leading destination in Asia at the World Travel Awards-2008 "Asia and Indian Ocean" ceremony organised at Shanghai in China on June 19.

Earlier, in another feather in its cap, it won the "Bronze Lion Award" at the 55th International Advertising Festival held at Cannes, France from June 15 to 21, for the creative on "Taj Mahal" used in the Tourism Ministry's "Incredible India" campaign in the international market. This is the first time that the award has been received by the Tourism Ministry.

Launched in 1993 to recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry, the World Travel Awards are celebrating its 15th anniversary, and are regarded as the highest recognition for a travel product.

Thousands of votes are cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations in more than 160 countries across the globe.

Votes are cast globally by fellow industry professionals in 919 different categories. Senior executives from major travel companies, operators and destinations attend these world travel awards events which provide top level networking opportunities, both regionally and globally.

The World Travel award is the result of the innovative "Incredible India" campaign in the international market and the ministry's priority on creating and upgrading the tourist infrastructure across the country.

Further, the popularity of "Incredible India" website and efforts to harness the power of Internet to creative awareness about the country have led to this award.

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