New Delhi, Jan 24: The South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) has invited nominations from tourism and hospitality sector for the year 2023 to recognise excellence in hospitality and travel industry in South Asia.
The awards were launched in 2016 to recognize the best of South Asia’s hospitality and travel industry. The annual event honours government and private organizations and individuals in a wide array of categories.
Speaking to the media, Saima Hamid Baba, who officially joined as a member of SATA for North India in 2022 to promote tourism industry, urged both government and private tourism, travel players to file their nominations for 2023 awards in different categories.
She said the awards are a rare opportunity to promote the vibrant tourism industry of Kashmir in South Asian region. "Kashmir is one of the important landmarks on the tourism map of South Asia. I urge people associated with tourism and hospitality industry in Kashmir to apply for the different categories of the awards."
This year the SATA has opened the nominations with revamped categories for properties and brands to compete, in addition to Visitors Choice Awards and Special Recognition Awards.
SATA has been endorsed by over 15 International and government agencies for its work to elevate tourism and hospitality in the region. These include Association of Professionals in Tourism (APT), Association of Tourism Trade Organizations, India (ATTOI), Association of Travel Agents (ATA), Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators (CATO), Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Hotel and Restaurant Association of Bhutan (HRAB), Kerala Hotel General Manager Club (KHGMC), National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM), Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation (MMPRC), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA).
This year, SATA celebrates its 7th year in recognizing the region’s travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.
The previous editions being held at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, Maldives (2022), SATA Virtual (2020), Amari Galle, Sri Lanka (2019), Taj Mahal Palace, India (2018), Equator Village, Maldives (2017) and Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka (2016).
The official handout of SATA said that the award function is an annual event that recognizes and celebrates the best in the travel and tourism industry in South Asia. "The awards ceremony recognizes the achievements of hotels, airlines, destinations, and other organizations that contribute to the growth and success of the travel and tourism industry in the region," the handout read.
The winners are selected by a panel of experts and industry professionals. The awards are given in different categories including Best Domestic Destination, Best International Destination, Best Adventure Destination, and Best Emerging Destination.
"Kashmir has the potential to make mark in the awards which is a good opportunity to promote tourism at South Asian level," said Baba.
The nominations can be filed on the official website www.southasiantravelawards.com until 10th April 2023.