Kerala Tourism has emerged as one among the four winners at FITUR - the second largest travel and tourism fair in Spain.
The Tourism Department has bagged the award in the destination category along with Mexico, Japan and Nepal, an official release said.
The event, attended by the Who's Who of global tourism sector, had an eye catching Kerala Tourism pavilion themed on the fabled snake boat race that proved a crowd puller among delegates.
A total of 9,500 companies from 165 countries are participating at the 36th edition of FITUR held from January 20-24.
A large number of visitors flocked to the Kerala pavilion, which was adorned by two replicas of the snake boats, making it one of the most-photographed pavilions at the FITUR.
The state pavilion, created with the stunning images of the boat races of Kerala, won the Best Stand award for design, communication and professionalism.
"The award for our pavilion at the famed travel and tourism trade show is a huge honour for our state," said Kerala Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar who led the state delegation.
The award, which comes in the 'Visit Kerala' year, would certainly help the state achieve further growth in foreign tourist arrivals in the future, he added.
The sprawling independent pavilion of Kerala Tourism built on a 60-square metre area, had participation from four co-exhibitors representing the state's private tourism and hospitality sector.
Odisha Tourism is holding road shows in different cities
to attract tourists from various parts of the country.
It had organised many road shows last year and this year, 10 such events will be held, Director Tourism Nitin Bhanudas Jawale said.
Odisha Tourism Development Corporation has also been playing a key role in the promotion and development of the sector.
It offers a wide range of facilities to tourists with its 22 strategically located hotels and restaurants, apart from facilities like boating and transportation services.
Above all, Odisha is a peaceful state and the people are hospitable, Panda said, adding that the state capital Bhubaneswar is a modern city with good connectivity.
The international airport in the city will also give a boost to tourism, Jawale said.
