The 21 Gun Salute Heritage & Cultural Trust won the accolade of being the ‘Most Innovative & Unique Tourism Product’ for the 21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally at the National Tourism Awards (2016-2017), which was organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, on the occasion of World Tourism Day on September 28, 2018, at The Vigyan Bhawan.
KJ Alphons, Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism, Government of India and Rashmi Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, presented the award to Madan Mohan – Founder & Managing Trustee, 21 Gun salute Heritage & Cultural Trust.
“The very fact that the 21 Gun Salute Concours Show succinctly communicates the unique combination of heritage and motoring makes it a deserving winner, and we are delighted that the event has been acknowledged and rewarded for its successful contribution as the most innovative and unique tourism product,” exclaimed Mohan.
It was back in 2011 when the 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show embarked upon its journey of combining Indian Heritage and Motoring. Since then Mohan has been working both to build and grow this outstanding event, and to make the best use of it for celebrating Indian heritage at a global platform.
Every year, the Concours Show is organised with visitors attending the event from the global motoring fraternity that includes more than 30 judges from all over the world, and it is the only event in India that invites billionaires from different corners of the world to participate in the Concours Show.
The event has not only been recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, but the 21 Gun Salute Rally has also been nominated for the ‘Breakthrough Event of the Year’ category at the prestigious Historic Motoring Awards – London.
Winning the award for the ‘Most Innovative & Unique Tourism Product,’ signals that the continuous efforts of Mohan to drive heritage and motoring together, as a tourism product, have yielded noteworthy results. He has also been nominated for the ‘Personal Achievement Award’ category at the prestigious Historic Motoring Award – London; adding yet another achievement to his long list of accolades.
“This award means so much, and it has been an absolute privilege to have overseen the development and creation of what is now globally famous – The 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show. We have succeeded in creating a truly outstanding show, which contributes significantly to promoting Indian Heritage and Motoring. This award really recognises the immense amount of passion, innovation and sheer determination which has, and continues to be, at the core of all we do; we’re exceptionally proud of it,” expressed Mohan.
The 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show has the potential to propel the image of host destination, India, to new heights as a heritage motoring tourism destination. This event is not only popular within the domestic motoring fraternity but has also developed international significance.
