The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India presents National Tourism Awards to various segments of the travel and tourism industry every year. These awards are presented to State Governments / Union Territories, classified hotels, heritage hotels, approved travel agents, tour operators and tourist transport operators, individuals and other private organizations in recognition of their performance in their respective fields and also to encourage healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism.
The Government of Telangana has received National Tourism Awards under various categories consecutively for the past four years. This year, Government of Telangana had received the following National Tourism Awards:
| Sl.
No |
Organization | Category |
| 1. | Department of Tourism, Government of Telangana –
i Explore Telangana mobile app |
Most Innovative use of IT – Social Media/Mobile App/website |
| 2. | Apollo Hospitals | Best Medical Tourism Facility |
The National Tourism Award ceremony is organized by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on 27th September, 2019 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on the occasion of “World Tourism Day Celebrations 2019”.
The Hon’ble Vice President of India, M.Venkaiah Naidu presented the awards to the winners. He was accompanied by the Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Sri. Prahalad Singh Patel.
The Hon’ble Minister for Prohibition & Excise, Sports & Youth services, Tourism & Culture and Archaeology, V. Srinivas Goud; Principal Secretary to Govt., YAT & C Deptt., Sri. C. Parthasarathi, I.A.S.; Commissioner of Tourism, Sunita M Bhagwat, I.F.S. and Managing Director (FAC), Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation, B.Manohar, have received the award.
The following are the details of the National Tourism Awards received:
1. i Explore Telangana mobile app:
“i Explore Telangana” app is unique and first-of-its-kind app in India, launched by the Department of Tourism, Government of Telangana. This app was prepared in consultation & cooperation with all the line departments like Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Police Department, Forest Department, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), South Central Railway (SCR), Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR), Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC), Department of Health, Medical & Family Welfare, Regional Transport Authority.
It provides useful information for tourists about tourist destinations and access to wide range of information. The app serves to highlight Telangana state as a safe and secure destination for the guests arriving here and explore its historical heritage and rich culture on a single interface. Beacons, based on latest Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are integrated as part of the app at different tourist destinations. The feature enables tourists to receive automatic updates in the proximity of the destinations with all the necessary information.
The app integrates and improves services to International and National tourists about the Destinations – travel information, distances, ticketing systems, Parks, Parking locations, Public Toilets, Tourist Information Centers; Services – Public transport services like Metro Rail, MMTS, South Central Railway & RTC; Health Services – Major hospitals, vaccination & first-aid centers; Safety & Security – location of nearest police stations; important helpline numbers; Updates on currency conversions and many other services are reflected. The mobile app thus helps the tourists / visitors a seamless travel to various tourist destinations across the State with a complete new experience.
2. Apollo Hospitals:
Apollo Hospitals is modern healthcare in India. As the nation’s first corporate hospital, Apollo Hospitals is acclaimed for pioneering the private healthcare revolution in the country. It has emerged as Asia’s foremost integrated healthcare services provider and has a robust presence across the healthcare ecosystem, including Hospitals, Pharmacies, Primary Care & Diagnostic Clinics and several retail health models.
Their mission is to bring healthcare of International standards within the reach of every individual and committed to the achievement and maintenance of excellence in education, research and health care for the benefit of humanity.
