Rajasthan’s tourism department has been awarded the title of ‘Best Cultural Destination’ at the 10th International Tourism Conference and Travel Awards held in New Delhi on July 26. The award was presented by the tourism industry body iCreative Minds and received by Ajay Kumar Sharma, Joint Director of the Tourism Department.
The recognition comes shortly after Jaipur was ranked 5th among the world’s top travel destinations in a global readers’ survey conducted by the international travel magazine Travel + Leisure. The survey was based on readers’ experiences, voting, and reviews.
According to Rajesh Yadav, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Art, and Culture, Rajasthan, the award was conferred based on a combination of social media engagement, tourist reviews, and expert feedback. He said the state is continuing to develop various tourism segments including cultural, rural, wildlife, religious, and heritage tourism.
In recent months, Rajasthan has hosted high-profile events like the IIFA Awards in Jaipur and the Teej Festival, which have drawn national and international attention. These events, along with infrastructure development supported through budgetary allocations, are contributing to the state’s growing visibility in the tourism sector.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism Diya Kumari congratulated the tourism department for the recognition. She noted that consistent efforts are being made to improve tourism services, promote local heritage, and attract both domestic and international tourists to Rajasthan.
The award adds to a series of recognitions that Rajasthan has received in the past year, reflecting the state’s continuing efforts to strengthen its tourism profile. Jaipur’s inclusion in the Travel + Leisure list is also expected to boost international tourist interest in the region.
iCreative Minds, which hosted the awards, has been active in the tourism industry for over two decades. It facilitates tourism promotion through conferences, trade meets, exhibitions, and its tourism publication Travel Mail.
Officials said that the department will continue to focus on improving visitor experience, promoting heritage sites, and working with private stakeholders to expand tourism potential across the state.
