Bhuvnesh Kumar calls tourism professionals the ‘authors of India’s growth story’, while Philippines Ambassador Josel F Ignacio highlights expanding India–Philippines travel links.
The 12th edition of the India Travel Awards was held on 15 October 2026 at the Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, with Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and HE Josel F Ignacio, Ambassador of the Philippines to India, as Chief Guests. The ceremony recognised 60 winners across travel, tourism, and hospitality, celebrating their contributions to the industry.
Organised by DDP Group, the awards recognised individuals and organisations across travel distribution, destination management, aviation, hospitality, MICE, travel technology, and tourism development.
Addressing the gathering, Kumar highlighted the contribution of travel and tourism professionals to India’s growth and international image. He acknowledged the dedication and perseverance required to build successful businesses and deliver quality travel experiences. He also commended DDP Group for sustaining the awards over 12 years and congratulated the recipients on their achievements.
“I see the authors of India’s growth story,” Kumar said, describing tourism professionals as ambassadors of India’s traditions, culture, and tourism offerings. He said the awards had become a benchmark of distinction for the travel fraternity, recognising achievements across the country, including the north, south, east, west, and northeast.
Kumar also highlighted tourism’s role in supporting livelihoods and fostering cultural understanding. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to working with the industry to make India a prominent, inclusive, and sustainable destination, urging professionals to continue innovating and welcoming travellers from around the world.
In his address, Ignacio highlighted tourism’s role in strengthening relationships between countries, describing travel as a bridge that builds understanding, friendship, and economic connections. He traced the evolution of travel from early human migration and religious pilgrimages to modern tourism, which now spans leisure, ecotourism, medical travel, education, and other experiences.
“The desire to travel and discover is something innate in us human beings. Certainly, from an evolutionary perspective, it was rooted originally in survival, the necessity for early man to move and migrate to where resources were, the adaptation to new territories. Over eons, what began as a primal survival imperative shifted to the higher planes of the emotions and intellect, the psychological drive towards personal growth,” Ignacio said.
The Ambassador highlighted India’s importance as a source market for the Philippines, pointing to visa facilitation and expanding air connectivity as opportunities to strengthen bilateral tourism. He said Indian nationals could visit the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days. He also noted that Air India operated direct daily flights between Delhi and Manila, while Philippine Airlines was expected to introduce additional non-stop connections from Delhi and Mumbai by December 2026.
Inviting Indian travellers to explore the Philippines, Ignacio highlighted its islands, beaches, culture, cuisine, and hospitality. He said Indian arrivals to the Philippines had grown by 33.64% in the previous year, underlining the potential for further growth in travel between the two countries.
The Ambassador also acknowledged the role of travel agents, tour operators, airlines, and tourism professionals in developing destination awareness and facilitating international travel. He congratulated the award recipients, recognising their entrepreneurship, resilience, and contribution to tourism and stronger connections between people and nations.
Six Industry Leaders Receive Special Honours
The awards recognised six individual achievers for their contributions to the industry. Deepak Narula, Managing Director, GRNconnect.com, was named Travel Legend for his longstanding contribution to travel distribution and technology. Homa Mistry, Chief Executive Officer, Trail Blazer Tours India (TBi), received the DDP TrailBlazer award, while Kanwarjit Singh Sawhney, Managing Director, Bakshi Transport Service, was recognised as DDP Tourism Ambassador.
Nitin Kapur, Managing Director, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, received the Hospitality Pathfinder award. Daniel Dsouza, Co-Founder of DreamSetGo, part of Dream Sports Group, was named DDP Game Changer for his work in sports travel. Hussain Patel, Founder of TripJack, received the DDP Face of the Future award for his contribution to technology-led travel distribution.
The remaining awards recognised organisations and businesses across inbound and outbound tourism, leisure and pilgrimage travel, destination management, luxury and lifestyle travel, weddings and MICE, aviation services, travel insurance, and technology-led distribution.
India Travel Awards 2026: Complete List of Winners
| No. | Award Category | Winner |
| 1 | Travel Legend | Deepak Narula |
| 2 | DDP TrailBlazer | Homa Mistry |
| 3 | DDP Tourism Ambassador | Kanwarjit Singh Sawhney |
| 4 | Hospitality Pathfinder | Nitin Kapur |
| 5 | DDP Game Changer | Daniel Dsouza |
| 6 | DDP Face of the Future | Hussain Patel |
| 7 | Best Inbound Leisure & Charter DMC | Le Passage to India |
| 8 | Best National OTA for Fixed Departures | AIRiQ 365 |
| 9 | Best GSA of the Year – Passenger Services | InterGlobe Air Transport |
| 10 | Best 5-Star City Resort | Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekaaya Udaipur |
| 11 | Excellence in Corporate Offsite Hospitality – Delhi NCR | Fortune Park Orange, Member of ITC Hotels’ Group |
| 12 | Excellence in Travel Insurance Services | Asego Global Assistance |
| 13 | Best Spiritual & Pilgrimage Tour Operator | Thomas Cook India |
| 14 | Best Oceanfront Weddings & MICE Destination – Chennai | InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort |
| 15 | Most Promising Corporate Events & Experiences Company | Miramo |
| 16 | Best Convention Resort for Weddings & MICE – Tamil Nadu | Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort & Convention Center |
| 17 | Most Professional Airline Representation Company | Dex Group |
| 18 | Most Innovative Luxury Travel Experience Brand – Delhi NCR | Blingbird |
| 19 | Best Leisure Resort Brand for MICE | Sterling Holiday Resorts (SHRL) |
| 20 | Best Wedding & Celebration Venue – Delhi NCR | ExpoInn Suites & Convention |
| 21 | Best Domestic Cruise & Travel Ancillary Service Provider of the Year | Jagsons Travels |
| 22 | Best Wedding and MICE Hotel | Mayfair Spring Valley Resort Guwahati |
| 23 | Most Promising Travel-Tech Startup | Offline Check.in |
| 24 | Best Niche Tour Operator – Uttar Pradesh | Tourland India |
| 25 | Best Weddings and MICE Hotel – South India | Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach |
| 26 | Best Integrated MICE Travel Solutions Provider | Eventions |
| 27 | Best Outbound Travel Company in Uttar Pradesh | Royal Tours and Travels |
| 28 | Best Integrated MICE & Convention Hotel | Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre |
| 29 | Hospitality Business Leader of the Year | Ashwini Kumar Goela |
| 30 | Excellence in Regional Tourism Development | William Antony D’Souza |
| 31 | Excellence in MICE Destination Development | Danzel Walter |
| 32 | Most Promising MICE Entrepreneur | Ravi Rajak |
| 33 | Excellence in Aviation & Tourism Education | Dr Venkateswaran Raman |
| 34 | Excellence in Hospitality Advocacy & Representation | Hotel Association of India |
| 35 | 75 Years of Excellence for Travel Trade Leadership | Travel Agents Association of India |
| 36 | Luxury Travel & Hospitality Startup of the Year | VOYALYS |
| 37 | Best Outbound B2B Destination Management Company | DMC Hub Powered by Balitrip Wisata |
| 38 | Most Innovative Travel Engagement Platform of the Year | Global Panorama Showcase |
| 39 | Best Luxury Airport Hotel | Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport |
| 40 | Most Trusted Travel Management Company | ALC |
| 41 | Best Travel Brand | GT Holidays |
| 42 | Best Travel Marketplace Platform | TripShope |
| 43 | Best Tour Operator – Tripura | Niljyoti Travel Agency |
| 44 | Best Leisure Hotel for Weddings & MICE – West Region | Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli |
| 45 | Best Long-Haul Destination | Australia |
| 46 | Best Bespoke Holiday Company | Baywatch Travels |
| 47 | Innovative Travel Startup of the Year | ProximIT |
| 48 | Best European Rail Travel Partner | Rail Europe |
| 49 | Best Multi-Destination Holiday Specialist | Gantu Holidays |
| 50 | Best International Tour Operator of the Year | Kesari Tours |
| 51 | Best Luxury & Lifestyle Travel Company | APS Destinations |
| 52 | Best Holiday Specialist – North India | Gujral Tours and Travels |
| 53 | Best Customised Holiday Company | Tourfox |
| 54 | Best B2B Travel Technology Solution | Ottila International |
| 55 | Best B2B Travel Distribution Platform | GRNconnect.com |
| 56 | Most Captivating Island Destination | Department of Tourism Philippines |
| 57 | Best Business & MICE Hotel | Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center |
| 58 | Alliance Partner | AIRiQ 365 |
| 59 | Celebration Beverages Partner | Radico Khaitan |
| 60 | Hospitality Partner | Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport |
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.