Evolve Back Takes 'Best Hotel Chain' at Karnataka's First State Tourism Awards

Evolve Back has been named 'Best Hotel Chain' at the inaugural Karnataka Tourism Awards 2026, instituted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, in association with the Karnataka Tourism Society.

The award matters beyond one brand. These are the state's first dedicated tourism awards, and according to the Karnataka Tourism Society, stakeholders had requested such a platform for more than six years. The inaugural edition received more than 175 entries across 35 categories and recognised 42 stakeholders, including hotels, resorts, tour operators, guides, naturalists, content creators, startups and tourism institutions. The awards were held on World Tourism Day at the Bangalore Palace Grounds.

Mr Thomas E Ramapuram, Director; Mrs Tessa Thomas Ramapuram, Manager - HR; and Mr Thomas Paul, Vice President Designate, received the award on behalf of Evolve Back from the Hon. Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr D. K. Shivakumar.

Thomas E Ramapuram said, "We are honoured to receive the Best Hotel Chain award at the first Karnataka Tourism Awards. For us, hospitality has always been closely connected to the character of the places we are fortunate to operate in. Coorg, Kabini and Hampi each have a distinct landscape, history and culture, and that sense of place is central to how we welcome our guests. To have this approach recognised at the state's inaugural tourism awards is particularly meaningful, and we are grateful to the Department of Tourism and the Karnataka Tourism Society for this recognition."

The recognition is particularly significant for Evolve Back because its roots and primary presence are in Karnataka. Its Indian properties are Kamalapura Palace in Hampi, Kuruba Safari Lodge in Kabini and Chikkana Halli Estate in Coorg. Under the brand's 'Spirit of the Land' philosophy, each draws on the character, landscape, heritage and communities around it to shape its architecture, experiences and approach to hospitality. That means the coffee estates and Kodava traditions of Coorg, the forests and indigenous communities of Kabini, and the heritage of Hampi.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to building world-class infrastructure, "including plans to construct a grand 'Karnataka Mandapa' modeled after the Bharat Mandapam."

Shri K. Syama Raju, President of the Karnataka Tourism Society, said, "We look forward to institutionalizing these awards annually to continuously elevate service standards and hospitality quality across Karnataka."

Evolve Back is owned by Orange County Resorts & Hotels Ltd. Beyond India, it operates Evolve Back Gham Dhao Lodge, a private game reserve in the Central Kalahari region of Botswana.

Images: courtesy of Evolve Back / Star Squared PR