On the evening of 12 December 2024, Travel + Leisure India and South Asia celebrated its 13th annual India’s Best Awards (IBA) at the ITC Maurya, New Delhi, under the theme ‘Art of Discovery’, in partnership with Schüco.
This year, the India’s Best Awards saw a record-breaking 591,000 readers participate in the voting, recognising the best-in-class hospitality and travel brand and experiences across various industry verticals.
The India’s Best Awards is recognised as the largest Reader’s Choice Awards in India’s travel and hospitality sector, with the mission of bringing people together to celebrate the excellence in travel, leisure, and lifestyle. The event was attended by prestigious key opinion leaders, including Tikka Shatrujit Singh, HH Maharaja of Kapurthala; Raghuvendra and Kavita Rathore; Priya Paul; Raseel Ansal Gujral and Navin Ansal; Yuvraj Martand Singh; Maharawal Chaitanya Raj Singh; Radha Goenka and Anant Goenka; Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka; Maharani Radhika Raje Gaekwad; Tarun Tahiliani; Manish Ahuja, Assistant Secretary General and Head of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, FICCI; and Ishia Jajodia.
“Tonight, as we celebrate the 13th edition of Travel + Leisure India and South Asia’s India’s Best Awards, it is a true reflection and testament to the dynamic growth of the country’s thriving tourism sector,” said Björn Rettig, CEO, BurdaLuxury. “The awards introduced the T+L Champions category in 2022, and this year we have grown that list to include 22 individuals from diverse industries, all united by their commitment to foster positive change in the travel space and beyond.”
“It brings me great joy to share that the 2024 edition of India’s Best Awards has superseded expectations,” said Akshita M. Bhanj Deo, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure India and South Asia. “This year’s theme was Modern Heritage, aligning with and reflecting our mission to transform your world whilst also honouring the marriage of tradition and forward-thinking innovation that India stands for. Congratulations to all the award winners, and a big thank you to our readers for voting.”
2024 India’s Best Awards Winners by Category:
T+L Champions
Champion of Arts & Crafts (Supporting Local Artisans): Karishma Swali
Champion of Boutique Hospitality: Shruti Shibulal
Champion of Community Empowerment: Maharajkumari Dr. Jyoti Singh of Jammu & Kashmir
Airports, Airlines and Cruises
Best Cruise/Expedition: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Domestic Airline: Air India
Best Domestic Airport: Manohar International Airport, Goa
Best International Airport: Singapore Changi Airport
Best International Airline: Singapore Airlines
Domestic Destinations
Best Beach Destination: Andaman & Nicobar
Best Culinary Destination: West Bengal
Best Emerging Destination: Sikkim
Best State: Maharashtra
Best Wedding Destination: Rajasthan
Domestic Hotels
Best Bleisure Hotel (Editor’s Choice): ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai
Best Bleisure Hotel: JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru
Best Bleisure Hotel: The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace
Best Corporate Experience: Le Méridien New Delhi
Best Hotel Group in India: The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
International Destinations
Best City: Tokyo, Japan
Best Country: Switzerland
Best Adventure Destination: The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Best Adventure Destination: Pokhara, Nepal
Best Beach Destination: Cape Town, South Africa
International Hotels
Best Amusement/Theme Park: Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Best Business Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Finance Centre, United Arab Emirates
Best Business Hotel: Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Thailand
Best Hotel for Weddings: Shangri-La Colombo, Sri Lanka
Best Loyalty Prgramme (Benefits): ALL – Accor Live Limitless
Lifestyle
Best Car for Road Trips: Hyundai ALCAZAR
Best Electric Car: Audi Q8 e-tron
Best Electric Car: Volvo EX40
Best Fashoin Accessory Brand: Titan Stellar
Best Luggage Brand: RIMOWA
In addition to being presented in partnership with Schüco, the 2024 edition of India’s Best Awards featured celebration partner, Indri single malt whisky and music partner, Piano Man, New Delhi.
Visit the Travel + Leisure India and South Asia website for the full list of IBA 2024 Award winners and exclusive content. Connect with T+L India & South Asia on social media @travelandleisureindia to stay up to date on the latest trends in travel, leisure, and lifestyle.
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About Travel + Leisure India and South Asia
Travel + Leisure India and South Asia is the Indian edition of the American luxury travel and lifestyle magazine and your go-to source of travel inspiration. Published by BurdaLuxury, a Hubert Burda Media company, the magazine comprises an audience of luxury travellers, high net worth individuals, CEOs, entrepreneurs.