May 2008: Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi, Chairman, The Oberoi Group received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour, from President Pratibha Patil at a ceremony in New Delhi. This award was presented in recognition of Mr. Oberoi’s exceptional contribution to the hospitality industry.
In addition to providing leadership for the management of luxury hotels in several countries, Mr. Oberoi has been instrumental in pioneering the development of the new Oberoi hotels and resorts. The “Oberoi” brand has come to represent fine luxury hotels offering personalised service.
Mr. Oberoi is credited with placing Oberoi hotels on the international luxury travellers’ map with the opening of several new luxury hotels in Mauritius, Indonesia, Egypt and hotels in India at important tourist destinations such as Jaipur, Agra, Udaipur, Ranthambhore and Mashobra in the Himalayas. Mr. Oberoi has directed the development of these hotels breaking ground in new destinations and redefining architectural and design standards in luxury hospitality.
Recently, The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, India was rated the best hotel in the world in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards Readers’ Survey, acknowledged amongst the most revered rankings in the international travel industry. In the same poll, The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra and The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur were rated the 10th and 11th best hotels in the world.
Further notes to the Editor:
About The Oberoi Group:
The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, owns and/or manages 31 hotels and luxury cruisers across several countries under the luxury ‘Oberoi’ and five-star ‘Trident’ brands. The Group is also engaged in travel and tour services, car rentals, airport bars and restaurants, in-flight catering, delicatessen products, project management and corporate air charters.