The men behind the super success of YAT2018
The just-concluded Yoga Ambassadors Tour is forever going to remain etched in the hearts of many and is also considered one of the most successful events in the history of Kerala Tourism. 52 Yoga Ambassadors from 23 different countries, have toured the length and breadth of Kerala, from June 14 to June 21 to experience the possibilities of yoga in the state. The team included yoga professionals, teachers, yoga bloggers and yoga researchers.
YAT2018 was organized by Association of Tourism Trade Organizations, India (ATTOI), which was well supported by the state Tourism department and Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India. The major accolades go to the executive committee members of ATTOI, who spearheaded the event and made it a grand success. The ATTOI Executive Committee has been working on this project for almost an year and has proved their commitment towards the growth of Kerala Tourism and their leadership skills once again. All of them have dedicated their time for this event keeping their businesses away to travel with the delegates, guiding them for the past 10 days. Tourism News Live take this opportunity to appreciate the team, who worked their way out to make this event a blockbuster.
Anisk Kumar PK
(President)
Managing Director of Trivandrum based Travel Planners, Kovalam Ayur Villa, Villa Romantica in Nedumbassery and Partner of Munnar Spice Tree Resorts. Born at Meeyannoor in Kollam, Anish is settled in Trivandrum and has been working with the tourism sector for the past 21 years. He has received many national and state awards for excellence in tourism sector. Anish is also the member of Tourism Advisory Board. He has also been served as the Secretary of Kerala Travel Mart in the past.
V Sreekumara Menon
(Secretary)
Working with the tourism sector since 1983, Sreekumara Menon advocates for responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism practices. This Trivandrum-based business man is the Managing Director of Chalukya Travels, which was founded in 1988 and owns Overland Resorts in Alappuzha. He has received state awards for excellence in tourism sector.
P S Chandrasenan
(Treasurer)
Trivandrum-based Chandrasenan has been actively contributing to the tourism sector for the past 18 years. He is the Managing Director of Cosmos Tours and Travels.
Vinod C S
(Vice-President)
He has been active in the tourism sector since 1994 and has worked in Germany for quite some time. Vinod is the Managing Director of Trivandrum-based I T P Tourism Managers.
Shailesh Nair
(Vice-President)
Active since 1997, Shailesh is the Managing Director of Kochi-based Mystikal Holidays and Director of Green Earth Hotels and G E Ventures.
Janeesh Jalaludheen
(Joint Secretary)
A post graduate in Tourism Administration, Janeesh is a Trivandrum-based tourism professional, who has been active in the tourism sector since 2003. He is the Operations Head of Chalukya Grace and Ourland Resorts & Houseboats. Janeesh is also serving as the Treasurer of Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators (CATO) and Joint Secretary of Association of Professional in Tourism (APT).
Subhash Ghosh
(Joint Secretary)
Chief Executive Officer of the Kerala Greenary, Subhash has been active in the sector since 1999. He is also the President of Tourism Professionals Club.
V S Jayachandran
(Exe-Committee Member)
Jayachandran has been active in the sector since 1988. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Trivandrum-based The Tour Designers. Jayachandran is from Prakkulam in Kollam.
P V Manu
(Exe-Committee Member)
Manu started his career in the tourism sector from 1999 and is the Chief Executive Officer of Discover Kerala.
Sanjeev Kumar
(Exe-Committee Member)
From Valathungal in Kollam, Sanjeev started his career in tourism in 1997. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Voyagers Kerala and president of the Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators (CATO)
Harikumar C
(Exe-Committee Member)
Active in the tourism sector for the past 18 years, Hari is Assistant Vice President of Le Passage to India Journeys. Based in Kochi, Hari is also the Joint Secretary of Kerala Travel Mart.
Varghese Oommen
(Exe-Committee Member)
Oommen has been active in the tourism sector since 1995. Born and brought up in Quwait, he is the Managing Director of Trivandrum-based Oriental Routes.
Though the tour and event has been planned and executed by ATTOI, the tour guides who assisted the yoga ambassadors throughout the trip also need a very special mention. Alongwith the ATTOI Exe Committee Member Jayachandran, Manoj Vasudevan has also played a key role in guiding the yoga ambassadors.
Manoj Vasudevan
(Tour Guide)
Active in the tourism sector for the past 25 years, Manoj has worked with Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) from 1994-97. He was the guide of the late American celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain when he visited Kerala. He has also served as a guide for National Geographic channel. From Nettayam, Manoj is now visiting faculty at the KITTS, Trivandrum.