To ensure transparency in the forthcoming Galileo-Express Travel & Tourism (ET&T) Awards scheduled later this year, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, an independent audit and research firm of international repute, has been appointed research partner for the event. This is expected to make the awards, the first-ever non-governmental one for the tourism industry, a genuine benchmark for the entire travel fraternity.

Seema Luthra	Mani Bharadwaj

Says Seema Luthra, general manager, Galileo India P Ltd, “In our endeavour to honour organisational and individual excellence amongst travel professionals, across categories such as airlines, travel agencies, tour operators and tourism boards, it was important to guarantee that the entire process, beginning with the research, was done by a completely unbiased neutral organisation of international repute. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu fitted the bill perfectly and we are glad to appoint them as our research partners in this prestigious project.”

Comments Mani Bharadwaj, director, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, “This is a great event where all players of the hospitality segment are a part. We at Deloitte have been involved with the hospitality industry in various endeavours, both nationally and internationally. We have partnered with Express Travel & Tourism in bringing out the ‘Navigator 2003’ and are extremely delighted to work with them along with Galileo (India), in making this event a grand success.”

The nomination criterion will focus on creativity in vision and enhancement in work and will be measured against stringent qualitative and quantitative industry benchmarks in order to determine the highest standards of excellence practiced.