Mangaluru tourism pioneer William D’Souza honoured with Indian Travel Award

Mangaluru, October 16: William D’Souza, Managing Director of Globe Travels, Mangaluru, has been conferred with the prestigious Indian Travel Award in recognition of his four decades of contribution to tourism development in Dakshina Kannada and coastal Karnataka.

The award was presented at a ceremony in New Delhi on October 15 by Josel F. Ignacio, Ambassador of the Philippines to India, in the presence of Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The event was attended by prominent representatives of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, diplomats and other dignitaries from across the country.

D’Souza was recognised for his role in promoting cruise tourism, developing tourism infrastructure, improving international connectivity to Mangaluru and supporting community welfare initiatives.

Four decades of contribution to tourism

According to the award citation, D’Souza played a pioneering role in introducing New Mangalore Port to international cruise liners, helping open up new opportunities for cruise tourism in coastal Karnataka.

He also contributed to the development of the Pilikula Golf Course in association with Eugene Rent and other like-minded visionaries. The facility was developed as a major leisure destination for the region.

Another significant contribution recognised by the jury was his role in efforts to secure international airport status for Mangaluru. D’Souza was among those who pursued the initiative alongside T. Subbaya Shetty, who was then president of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

His contributions also extended to social service. He was a founder of the Indian Red Cross Society’s Mangaluru chapter and played a key role in establishing its blood bank, which provides an important service to the local community and visitors.

Through Globe Travels and various tourism-related initiatives, familiarisation tours and promotional activities, D’Souza has also worked to bring Dakshina Kannada to the attention of domestic and international tourists.

Recognition for tourism stakeholders

Addressing the gathering, Bhuvnesh Kumar highlighted the contribution of tourism industry stakeholders to the growth of Indian tourism.

“The success of Indian tourism is built on the hard work, perseverance, and early-morning-to-late-night dedication of its stakeholders,” he said.

The award recognises D’Souza’s sustained efforts to develop Mangaluru as a tourism destination and his contribution to initiatives aimed at improving the region’s tourism infrastructure and visibility.

‘Recognition belongs to the people of Dakshina Kannada’

Reacting to the honour, D’Souza said he was humbled by the recognition and dedicated it to the people who had supported his efforts over the years.

“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 Mr. T. Subbaya Shetty and Mr. 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,” he said.