God’s own country bags tourism award

NEW DELHI: When it comes to awards, who can beat God's own country. Kerala bagged the Best Performing Tourism State Award for outstanding achievements in the area of tourism.

Kerala's Sakthan Thampuran Palace in Kochi was declared the Best Maintained Tourism Friendly Monuments Award during the National Tourism Awards function.

Konaseema Tourism Project of Andhra Pradesh has been declared Best Tourism Project in the country while Assam Bengal Navigation Project bagged the award for Most Innovative Tourism Project.

Beach Protection Council of Orissa was recognized as the best NGO working for the promotion of Tourism.

Among the hotels, Oberoi Amarvilla in Agra and Bangalore's Taj Residency were declared the best. Delhi's The Marriot got the prize for best Eco-Friendly Hotel and Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom - Kerala won the best Eco-Friendly Resort.

Some other awardees include: Best Rural Tourism Project: Konaseema Tourism Project Department of Tourism, Govt of Andhra Pradesh and Most Innovative Tourism Project: Assam Bengal Navigation - Guwahati.