The much-anticipated Outlook Traveller Awards and Carnival 2024, held on Saturday, November 30, at Sunder Nursery, was an unforgettable celebration of the best in travel and tourism. The event, a highlight in the travel calendar, brought together some of the brightest stars of the industry, including leading travel brands, influencers, and tourism experts, all under one roof to honour excellence in the travel world.
As guests poured into the venue, the atmosphere was abuzz with excitement, anticipation, and an overwhelming sense of achievement. The awards ceremony itself was the centerpiece of the event, recognising destinations that have pushed the boundaries of innovation, sustainability, and service in the travel industry.
The evening's proceedings were graced by a mix of inspiring speeches, heartfelt moments, and, of course, plenty of celebratory cheer. The awards saw various categories acknowledging achievements in areas such as adventure tourism, eco-tourism, and hospitality. Winners from across the country were applauded for their significant contributions in creating unique travel experiences for all kinds of travellers, from leisure seekers to adventure enthusiasts and cultural explorers.
This year the spotlight was turned on the world's emerging destinations, places that offer fresh perspectives and immersive experiences and for that the theme was "Exploring The Unknown: A Spotlight On Emerging Destinations."
Chief Guest Shri Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand graced the occasion and encouraged the crowd with his inspiring words.
"Modern travellers are seeking new experiences and deeper connections to the places they visit," he said. "Uttarakhand is a place that embodies the spirit of exploring the unknown. The future of travel lies in the unknown, in exploring destinations that are untouched by mass tourism and in creating experiences that are both, authentic and immersive."
In his welcome address, Indranil Roy, CEO of Outlook Group, emphasised how we are evolving as travellers and how we strive to experiment and try new things to have the best experiences.
Meanwhile, talking about the Outlook Traveller Awards 2024, Anindita Ghosh, Editor of Outlook Traveller, said, "This edition is very special because we have moved it from the banquet halls of hotels to this exquisite setting, Sunder Nursery. It gives me goosebumps to think that as we sit here today, some of the monuments surrounding us have been standing sentinel since the 16th century. This year, our focus is on emerging destinations, those hidden gems off the beaten path that may not have as many facilities or comforts as the over-touristed popular destinations but offer unique experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. While it is our job to promote these lesser-known places and show you new horizons in travel, we also urge you to travel mindfully and responsibly and keep these stunning, often untouched, locations as pristine as you found them."
A soul-stirring folk music performance by Padma Shri Winner Dr. Basanti Bisht had everyone hooked. She is a well-known folk singer from Uttarakhand and the first woman singer of the Jagar folk form of Uttarakhand, a form of singing that invokes deities traditionally done by men.
This year's carnival-style celebration took the festivities to the next level. In addition to the awards ceremony, guests were treated to a lively and vibrant atmosphere, complete with live performances, talks and panel discussions, and an impressive array of food and drinks. The venue was transformed into a captivating showcase of travel destinations, offering attendees a glimpse of the diverse cultures and experiences the world has to offer. From interactive booths to stunning cultural performances that transported the audience to faraway places, the carnival celebrated travel in its most colourful and immersive form.
A fireside chat with Siddhartha Butalia, the Chief Marketing Officer of Air India Express and moderated by Anindita Ghosh, Editor of Outlook Traveller, offered insights into the Indian aviation industry, its role towards sustainability and the evolution of flyers. They discussed the role of low cost carriers in supporting tourism and connectivity in emerging destinations, what makes AIX an ideal choice for a flyer, and how AIX plans to make international air travel more affordable for travellers.
Some of the big highlights of the event included a rousing talk by Ashish Vidyarthi, acclaimed actor, entrepreneur, and social media sensation. He recalled nostalgic memories of his mother not letting him eat street food and how ironic his life turned out to be. As he recalled his fond memories revolving around food and all the places in Delhi he loved to go and eat at, the audience rejoiced in nostalgia. Businesswoman and celebrity Shalini Passi's travel stories, moderated by Chinki Sinha, Editor of Outlook India, was another crowd-puller.
Best Emerging Eco-Tourism Destination
Silver: Maharashtra
Gold: Sikkim
Best Wildlife Conservation Initiative
Silver: Nirmal Kulkarni
Gold: Purnima Devi Barman
Best Offbeat Heritage Destination
Silver: Undavalli Caves, Andhra Pradesh
Gold: Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka
Best Spiritual Destination
Silver: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Gold: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Best Off-roading Trail
Silver: Bisle Ghat, Karnataka
Gold: Sach Pass, Himachal Pradesh
Best Destination Offering Safety in Adventure
Silver: Ladakh
Gold: Uttarakhand
Best Offbeat Mountain Destination
Silver: Barot Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Gold: Anini, Arunachal Pradesh
Best Eco-Friendly Beach Destination
Silver: Rushikonda Beach, Andhra Pradesh
Gold: Radhanagar Beach, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Best Road Trip Destination
Silver: New Zealand
Gold: Australia
Best Food Destination
Silver: Türkiye
Gold: Japan
Top Southeast Asian Destination
Silver: Thailand
Gold: Vietnam
Most Affordable International Destination
Silver: Nepal
Gold: Vietnam
Best Heritage Destination
Silver: Italy
Gold: Egypt
Best Wildlife Destination
Silver: Tanzania
Gold: Kenya
Global City Excellence Award
Silver: London, UK
Gold: Singapore
Ultimate Shopping Paradise Award
Silver: London, UK
Gold: Dubai, UAE
Most-Preferred International Destination
United States
Timeless Favourite
Switzerland
Trending International Destination
Germany
The jury for Outlook Traveller Awards 2024 comprised 12 members who ranged from experts in the travel industry, media professionals, and influencers in a variety of fields. The eminent jury determined the best of the best in travel.
Advocate Afroz Shah – Environmentalist and Lawyer
Aly Rashid – Chief Executive and Curator of Experiences at Jehan Numa Wilderness
Anindita Ghosh – Jury Chair and Editor, Outlook Traveller
Nirat Bhatt – Mountaineer and Honorary Treasurer of Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAOI)
Rishad Saam Mehta – Travel Writer and Photographer
Romil Pant – Executive VP and Business Head at Holidays at Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.
Santosh Kumar – Country Manager India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com
Sanjay Sondhi – Naturalist and Founder of Titli Trust
Toby Sinclair – Conservationist, Documentary Filmmaker
Vaibhav Kala – Founder of Aquaterra Adventures and Senior VP of ATOAOI
Vijay Parmar – Motorsport Enthusiast, Founder of Raid De Himalaya, President of Himalayan Motorsport, and CEO of @Xplorearth
Yumi Talwar – COO – South Asia for VFS Global
The partners and sponsors for the Outlook Traveller Awards and Carnival 2024 were:
Air India Express
Himachal Tourism
Gujarat Tourism
Kerala Tourism
Telangana Tourism
Uttarakhand
Uttar Pradesh
Goturkiye.com
Indri
MYGLAMM
St. Botanica
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