The Lalit Group Chairperson and Managing Director Dr Jyotsna Suri has secured a prestigious World Travel Market Global Award in recognition of her leadership of the Group and the work she does above and beyond it, driving Indian tourism and protecting the country’s cultural heritage.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery presented the award to Dr Suri at today’s (Monday 7 November) WTM VIP Opening & Reception Ceremony.

WTM’s Global Media Network, comprising of key travel industry media around the world, put forward organisations and individuals which have contributed to their region’s travel and tourism industry. Dr Suri was nominated by Trav Talk. Its Publisher, Mr Sanjeet, jointly presented the award with Jeffery.

Dr Suri has been associated with the Lalit Group since its inception but took complete charge of it in 2006 following the death of her husband and the company’s Founder Chairman, Lalit Suri. Not content with simply holding the reins of one of India’s leading and fastest-growing privately-owned hotel companies with its portfolio of deluxe five-star hotels, Dr Suri has become involved with a number of other projects. She is a World Travel & Tourism Council International Executive Committee Member and the Federation of India Chambers of Commerce Tourism Committee Chairperson. She led the launch of The Great Indian Travel Bazaar, a travel exhibition in Jaipur, five years ago and works to promote the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir. Aside from this work Dr Suri is passionate about education in India and keenly supports the country’s arts, culture and festivals. In winning one of the World Travel Market’s prestigious Global Awards, she also follows in her husband’s footsteps.

Jeffery said: “Dr Suri’s professional commitments alone, and the energy she expends on them, would leave many people breathless. To further dedicate so much time to the things she loves, whether it be art, education or Jammu and Kashmir, makes her a worthy recipient of a Global Award.”

Every year, World Travel Market Global Awards are presented. The other 2011 winners are: Italy’s Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council, Butlin’s, the Renaissance Moscow Hotel, the Middle East’s WILD Guanabana, The Travel Corporation Canada, Porto Bay Hotels & Resorts, Spain’s RENFE, Sao Paulo Turismo and the Sandals Foundation.