Galileo - Express TtravelWorld Awards 2007

Celebrating half a decade of excellence

Neeti Mehra - Mumbai

The fifth edition of the marquee travel and tourism awards of the year, the Galileo Express TravelWorld Awards saluted merit and awarded excellence in travel and tourism. Completely endorsed by industry luminaries, this year's stellar event held at the Hilton Towers in Mumbai, saw 20 decision-makers across industry verticals win the vaunted Columbus trophy. A staggering 291 entries from across the country upheld the tradition of the awards being unbiased and indisputable, with the research partners Deloitte overseeing the process and ensuring transparency. A new category was instituted this year- the Best Online Travel Agency Award. This year, SBI was the Banking Partner and Eezego1.com was the associate partner for the event.

The Winner’s Circle

Kickstarting the awards was Rahul Bhatia, MD, Interglobe Enterprises. Speaking of the association, he said, "We at Galileo are delighted to have been associated with the Galileo Express TravelWorld Awards since inception and take great pride in the fact that these awards have earned the reputation of being the Oscars of Indian travel fraternity."

Shekhar Gupta, editor-in-chief, The Indian Express, jocularly recounted a recent airline experience, and added on a serious note, "The travel industry is familiar with the expression 'hit the ground running'. It is a great time for them. India will see soon witness a bigger travel boom." Bringing forth the buzz in the sky to the ground was Praful Patel, h'ble minister of state (independent charge) for civil aviation, Government of India, was guest of honour at the awards, who said, "The Indian Express Group is a torch bearer of journalism courage and has supported governmental reform," pointing out that the way ahead was primarily through rapid reforms, with partnerships to promote progress.

Commenting on the scorching growth rate of aviation, he added, "A few years ago there wouldn't have been many takers if we said the aviation industry will experience a 40 per cent CAGR year on year. Today this is a reality." The awards were presented in seven segments, interspersed with tongue-in-cheek AVs highlighting the lighter side of the industry. This year to give a more holistic national perspective of the jury awards, multiple juries were constituted across the country.

While applauding industry Goliaths, The Columbus also hailed the Davids of the industry. While ITC-Welcomgroup swept the Best Heritage Hotel Brand and the Best Premier Hotel Brand categories, Kerala Travel Interserve won the award for the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative.

Singapore dominated the proceedings in the Best East Bound Airline (Singapore Airlines) and the Best International Tourism Board (Singapore Tourism Board). Award veterans celebrated their fifth clean sweep of Columbus namely Jet Airways and Kuoni Destination Management in their respective categories. The Lifetime Achievement Award was deservedly won by one of India's most revered hoteliers, Captain C P Krishnan Nair, chairman, Hotel Leelaventure.

As curtains were drawn on a highly appreciated event, the industry is bracing for another year of innovation, consolidation and growth for a slick podium finish for next year's edition.