The Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, in association with the Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS), has announced the launch of the inaugural Karnataka Tourism Awards 2026, a state-level initiative aimed at recognizing excellence across the tourism ecosystem.
The awards mark the first time Karnataka will institute a state-level platform dedicated exclusively to recognizing organizations and individuals that have contributed significantly to the growth, innovation and sustainability of tourism across all 31 districts of the state.
Institutionalized under Karnataka’s tourism brand ethos, “One State, Many Worlds,” the awards will feature 35 awards across five core verticals.
The Accommodation & Hospitality vertical will recognize hotels, resorts, boutique stays, heritage properties, restaurants and service excellence.
The Tour Operators & Travel Agents category will cover domestic and inbound operators, adventure specialists, transport providers, MICE agencies and innovative travel services.
The Events, Venues & Infrastructure vertical will recognize heritage monuments, museums, wedding venues and tourism-friendly event spaces.
The Education, Publications & Individuals category will include guides, naturalists, institutes, startups, technology leaders, writers and lifetime achievers.
The fifth vertical, Sustainability & Rural Tourism, will cover homestays, rural tourism projects and civic management of tourist destinations.
According to the organizers, each award category has been designed to reflect the diverse strengths of Karnataka’s tourism sector, ranging from luxury hospitality to grassroots community initiatives.
Transparent evaluation process
The evaluation will be conducted by an independent Screening Committee comprising industry stalwarts, domain experts and state representatives. Entries will be assessed through a transparent scoring matrix covering operational quality and service benchmarks, guest satisfaction and feedback, innovation and originality in offerings, commitment to environmental sustainability, and contribution to community development.
The organizers said the evaluation process is intended to ensure credibility, fairness and recognition based purely on merit.
Shri K.J. George, Hon’ble Minister for Energy and Tourism, Government of Karnataka, said: “Tourism is one of Karnataka’s greatest strengths, built on the dedication of our operators, hoteliers, and community stakeholders. The Karnataka Tourism Awards are a vital benchmark initiative that celebrates excellence across our hospitality ecosystem while setting new standards for service, sustainability, and innovation. By recognizing the best in our industry, these awards will inspire every participant to raise the bar and strengthen our global positioning. In line with our brand ethos of ‘One State. Many Worlds.’, this initiative will showcase Karnataka’s diversity to the world and ensure our state continues to shine as a world-class destination.”
Shri K. Syama Raju, President of the Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS), stated: “The travel and hospitality fraternity has long been the driving force behind Karnataka’s tourism economy. Through this flagship initiative led by KTS, in association with the Department of Tourism, we are establishing an unbiased, merit-based platform to accord deserving trade pioneers the recognition they merit while elevating service benchmarks statewide.”
Key timelines and submission details
Nominations for the awards are open through the official web portal, with entries closing on September 17, 2026, at 23:59 IST.
The Grand Award Ceremony is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on September 27, 2026, World Tourism Day.
Eligible hoteliers, tour operators, registered homestay hosts, mobility providers and travel-tech innovators have been invited to submit their nominations online through the official awards portal.
