ITQ - Express Travel & Tourism Awards 2005 Announced

Galileo-Express Travel & Tourism Awards Dons A New Avatar In Mumbai

The Galileo-Express Travel & Tourism Awards, a name that has become synonymous with excellence in the travel industry, has donned a new avatar this year. Rechristened as ITQ-Express Travel & Tourism Awards 2005, these awards are slated for the end of this year in Mumbai, after hosting it for two consecutive years in New Delhi. Says Raja Natesan, president and CEO, ITQ, "We are delighted to announce the ITQ-Express Travel & Tourism Awards. These awards stand committed towards recognising companies striving towards excellence in the travel industry."

This change is in sync with the recent setting up of ITQ (InterGlobe Technology Quotient), as a separate business unit, while Galileo, still remains the travel distribution arm. Apart from the name change, the awards will see no major alterations, in value, structure, focus or vision.

Also, the association with one of the world's largest accounting and research firms, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) India Pvt Ltd as research partners for the awards still remains untouched. Playing a key role, they aid the judging process by making it transparent, supervising the overall data collation, evaluation as well as assuring participants of confidentiality of information supplied by the nominees.

With the awards turning three, everyone can look forward to innovations injected into the various awards processes as we continue to streamline the various procedures and criteria.

The highlight of the awards, the new 'auto nominate' system, will kick-off from this year. Here front runners in each segment who have consistently stayed ahead of the game will be nominated automatically and need only have their evaluation form filled in, while we would still extend a warm welcome to new players who would like to give these leaders a run for their money. All in a day's work…yes and knowledge gleaned from the past years' experience. Commenting on the awards, Sheldon Santwan, editor - hospitality and travel, Indian Express Group says, "As we have done in the past, through these awards, we will continue to award excellence in the travel industry. This time around we will see heightened, and yes even cutthroat, competition peppered with new categories and a concerted effort to ensure that we level the playing field. The maturity of these awards only proves our consistent quest to raise the bar."

For now, we can suggest you look forward to your nomination and evaluation forms that should reach your offices by the next month. This would be followed by a nationwide polling process, which will ultimately culminate in a very grand, high-profile award ceremony with the crème de la crème of the travel industry in attendance, all in Mumbai, the commercial capital of the country.