Applicant help
Your questions, answered.
Find details on eligibility, documents, fees, evaluation and the ceremony. Applications close on 17 September 2026.
Awards and eligibility
What are the Karnataka Tourism Awards 2026?
The awards recognise excellence across Karnataka's tourism, hospitality and allied sectors. They celebrate the organisations, establishments and professionals whose work improves tourism in the state.
Who organises the awards?
Organised by Karnataka Tourism Society, supported by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka.
How many awards and categories are there?
There are 35 awards across five categories: Accommodation & Hospitality; Tour Operators & Travel Agents; Events, Venues & Infrastructure; Sustainability & Rural Tourism; and Education, Publications & Individuals. See the Award Categories page for the full list.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility depends on the award. Applicants include eligible tourism businesses, accommodation providers, institutions, projects and individual professionals. Read the criteria for your chosen award and the complete requirements in its official application form before applying.
Is the same operating history or registration required for every award?
No. Operating history, location, registration, classification, licences and evidence requirements vary by award. Use the requirements for your selected award, rather than those of another entry.
Can I apply for more than one award?
Yes. Submit a separate application and pay the applicable fee for each award entry. Each entry must independently meet the eligibility conditions of the selected award.
Applications and documents
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 17 September 2026. Complete your entry, required uploads and applicable payment before the deadline.
Where do I submit my application?
Go to How to Apply, choose the category containing your award and select Start Application. The official Zoho form opens in a new tab. Select your award within that form and complete the required details.
Does sending a contact enquiry count as an application?
No. The contact form is for questions and assistance. To enter an award, submit the relevant official application form with its required documents and fee.
How do I choose the correct application form?
Find your award on the Award Categories page and follow its application link. There is one form for each of the five award categories, with the relevant awards available inside it.
What should I prepare before starting?
Keep applicant and establishment details, contact information, relevant registrations and licences, proof of operating history and the supporting evidence requested for your award ready. Some entries require financial or operational information, photographs, links or other records.
Where can I download the CA certificate and declaration formats?
Both formats are available under Download the required formats on the How to Apply page. Complete and upload them wherever the selected application form requires them.
What file sizes, formats and word limits should I follow?
Follow the instructions displayed beside the relevant fields in the official application form. Requirements can vary by award and by upload field. Make sure uploaded documents are clear and readable.
Who should certify an organisation's entry?
The entry must be self-certified through an authorised signatory. Ensure the submitted information is accurate, verifiable and supported by the records provided.
What if I notice an error after submitting?
Contact contact@karnatakatourismawards.com with your applicant name, award, registered email address and any submission reference you received. Explain the correction needed. The team will advise what is possible; a correction is not automatic.
What if an upload or payment fails?
Keep any error message and payment or submission reference. Check whether the transaction was completed before attempting another payment, and contact the awards team for help. Do not send card details, passwords or OTPs.
Fees and payment
What is the application fee?
The base fee for most awards is ₹5,000 per entry. It is ₹2,500 for Best Rural Tourism Project, Best Homestay Establishment and Best Farm Stay Establishment, and ₹1,000 for Best Guide and Best Naturalist.
Is GST included in the displayed fee?
The website lists base fees. GST is added where applicable. Check the total payable in the official application form before completing payment.
Does paying the fee guarantee an award?
No. Payment is part of the application process. Entries remain subject to eligibility checks, verification and the jury's evaluation.
Who should I contact about a payment, duplicate charge or refund query?
Contact the awards team with your award name, applicant details and transaction reference. Check any payment and refund conditions displayed in the official form before paying. Do not include sensitive banking credentials in your message.
Jury, rules and the ceremony
Who will evaluate the applications?
An independent committee chaired by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka will evaluate the entries. It includes government officials, tourism and hospitality industry experts, and representatives from the media, IHM, India Tourism and relevant trade publications.
Can the organisers ask for more information or a site visit?
Yes. The jury and organising committee may audit submissions, seek additional documents, verify data and conduct site visits where required. Keep original records and supporting material available.
Can an entry be disqualified or moved to another category?
Yes. The jury and organising committee may reclassify an entry or disqualify an entry that is incomplete, ineligible, misleading, fraudulent or does not comply with the published rules. They may also modify or cancel an award category.
Can I appeal the jury's decision?
The published rules state that decisions of the jury and organising committee are final and binding, and no correspondence regarding the evaluation outcome will be entertained.
When and where is the awards ceremony?
The ceremony is scheduled for 27 September 2026 at Anantya Palace Ground, Bengaluru. Visit the Ceremony page for event information.
Is attendance mandatory for winners?
The published rules require winners to ensure that a senior management representative at Director level or above attends the ceremony. Individual applicants who need clarification on how this applies to them should contact the awards team before submitting.
Are ceremony timings and entry arrangements available?
Check the Ceremony page for updates on timings, access and invitations. Contact the awards team if you need clarification before planning your visit.
Can my submitted photographs and videos be used for publicity?
By applying, you permit Karnataka Tourism Society and Karnataka Tourism Awards to use submitted material for awards-related communication, media coverage, publicity and promotion. You must hold the necessary rights and permissions for the material you submit.
Which conditions do I accept when applying?
Submission confirms unconditional agreement to the published rules, eligibility conditions, verification requirements and evaluation process. Read How to Apply and the Terms & Conditions before submitting.
How will my personal information be used?
Your information is used to respond to enquiries and administer applications, verification and awards communication as applicable. The Privacy Policy explains the information collected through this site and the role of the external application forms.
Still need help?
Use our contact page or email contact@karnatakatourismawards.com. Mention the award you are interested in so the team can guide you.