Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 16: William D’Souza, managing director of Globe Travels, Mangaluru, has been conferred with the prestigious Indian Travel Award in recognition of his outstanding and lifelong contribution to tourism in Dakshina Kannada district.

The award was presented at a distinguished ceremony in New Delhi on the evening of Thursday, October 15, by His Excellency Josel F Ignacio, ambassador of the Philippines to India, in the presence of Bhuvnesh Kumar, secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

On the occasion, Bhuvnesh Kumar emphasised that “the success of Indian tourism is built on the hard work, perseverance, and early-morning-to-late-night dedication of its stakeholders.”

Citation for the Award – A lifetime of contribution to Coastal Karnataka

The award jury specially recognised D’Souza’s four decades of pioneering efforts, which include:

• Pioneering cruise tourism: He was instrumental in introducing New Mangalore Port to the world of international cruise liners, thereby opening a new chapter in cruise tourism for Coastal Karnataka.
• Developing tourism infrastructure: He played a key role in the development of the Pilikula Golf Course, in association with Mr Eugene Rent and other like-minded visionaries, creating a world-class leisure facility for the region.
• Connectivity for the region: He was one of the key figures who relentlessly pursued and helped secure international airport status for Mangaluru, alongside T Subbaya Shetty, then president of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Social and community leadership: He is the founder of the Indian Red Cross Society, Mangaluru Chapter, and was instrumental in establishing its blood bank, a vital service for local residents and tourists alike.
• Promoting destination Mangaluru: Through various innovative tourism-related activities, familiarisation tours and promotional initiatives, he has consistently worked to attract both foreign and domestic tourists to Dakshina Kannada.

The event was attended by leading figures from the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, as well as diplomats and dignitaries from across India.

Reacting to the honour, William D’Souza said, “I am deeply humbled. This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to the people of Dakshina Kannada, to my team at Globe Travels, to stalwarts like Late T Subbaya Shetty and Eugene Rent, and to all who dreamt with me of putting Mangaluru on the world tourism map. This will inspire me to continue my work.”