Srinagar, Sept 27 (JKNS): On the occasion of World Tourism Day, Prime Business Voice announced the winners of the Kashmir Tourism Excellence Awards 2026 at a gala ceremony held in Srinagar, recognizing individuals and institutions for their leadership, innovation and contributions to Kashmir’s tourism, hospitality, trade and travel ecosystem.
The event brought together prominent representatives from tourism and hospitality, public administration, business, law, media, arts and crafts, architecture and allied sectors.
Among the key awardees were Javed Ahmad Tenga, President KCCI, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Imtiyaz Hussain (IPS), DIG SDRF, for Exemplary Public Service & Police Leadership; Aijaz Ahmad Bhat (IPS), SSP Traffic, for Exemplary Traffic Policing & Management; Sajad Ahmad Beigh of Hotel Sarovar for Excellence in Hospitality & Guest Experience; Najeeb Ahmad for Visionary Leadership in Handicrafts, Arts & Crafts; Dr. Mantasha Binti Rasheed (JKAS) for Exemplary Women Leadership in Public Service; and Imtiyaz Ahmad Chillo for Excellence in Heritage Architecture & Sustainable Design.
Other awardees included Sajad Ahmad Makaya, Gowhar Maqbool Mir, Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon, Advocate Sajad Mir, Mehboob Qadri, Faisal Manzoor, Hayat Ahmad, Saklain’s Coterie, Irfan Amin Khan and Sultan Shiekh, who were recognized for their respective contributions to hospitality, heritage, tourism, law, cuisine, entrepreneurship, media, wellness, digital design and the promotion of Kashmir’s arts and crafts.
Speaking on the occasion, Rouf Majid, Editor-in-Chief of Prime Business Voice and organizer of the event, said the awards were conceived to recognize the diverse stakeholders contributing to Kashmir’s tourism economy.
He emphasized that tourism is an interconnected ecosystem encompassing hospitality, safety, environmental sustainability, legal clarity, heritage conservation and cultural promotion.
The ceremony concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government, industry and other stakeholders, with emphasis on responsible tourism, heritage conservation, environmental sustainability, public-private partnerships and inclusive economic growth.
The Kashmir Tourism Excellence Awards 2026 reaffirmed the importance of recognizing individuals and institutions working across sectors to strengthen Kashmir’s position as a leading destination for tourism, hospitality, culture and business. (JKNS)