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The 10th anniversary of the Worldwide Hospitality Awards once again proved to be a grand stage for awarding excellence, as well as uniting the international hospitality industry to network and collectively explore opportunities for growth, development, innovation and sustainability.
Over 800 professionals turned up of the Worldwide Hospitality Awards 10th anniversary, held for the first time in the breathtaking Grand Salon Opera, InterContinental Paris Le Grand.
“This year’s Worldwide Hospitality Awards was a phenomenal success, especially considering the recent state of the economy and company budget restrictions. Due to the new venue, we were able to welcome a lot more guests, which was quite easy to fill. It was also great to see such positive morale from within the industry, as well as excellent initiatives to help boost performances in such challenging times,” comments event founder, MKG Group President and CEO, Georges Panayotis.
Among the guests were 200 hotel brands from 25 countries, including the world’s top 10 hotel groups. Grand Prix 2009 was awarded to Federation Internationale des Logis and accepted by President, Jacqueline Roux. “For the first time, this prestigious prize is given to a consortium. We are extremely proud, as this acknowledges the hard work done by our 3,000 independent hotel-restaurants,” she said.
Le Meridien received this year’s best concept in a full service hotel award, with The Pod Hotel New York achieving most innovative concept in the limited service category. Other major awards included best communication campaign B&B Hotels, IHG’s sustainable development, Louvre Hotels’ e-commerce strategy, Citizen M for HR programme and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for management training, Park Hyatt Paris Vendome took out novelty of the year. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s Kai Speth won best general manager.
Meanwhile the Hospitality Awards’ lifetime achievement was presented to Georg Rafael from the Rafael Group: “It is great that such an event has been organised in Paris, the tourist capital of the world. It was missing in the professional calendar and now thanks to MKG it is well established. It is very encouraging for the industry as a whole, especially in these difficult times. As for myself, to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award is very emotional. I have always been a hotelier and always will be with great passion. If I have a message to convey to my fellow hoteliers it is that they should always let this passion burn in their heart and soul”.
This year’s ceremony Chairman was Andrew Cosslett and Chairman of the awards advisory board was newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Pierre & Vacances Group Sven Boinet.
“It was a great privilege to host the awards at an InterContinental for the first time on the special occasion of the 10th anniversary. Passion and excellence can leave a great legacy. Great work and great accomplishment endures and carries a torch from one generation to the next. I congratulate all of the nominees and award winners from last night as they light the way for others in our industry to follow. It is their achievements, passion and commitment that are helping drive this industry forward at a time when we need it most,” concluded CEO, InterContinental Hotels Group, Andrew Cosslett.
Categories:
1. Best Communication Campaign
Winner: B&B Hotels
Finalists:
– hotelF1 du Groupe Accor
– Park Hyatt
2. Best e-Commerce Strategy
Winner: Louvre Hotels – HotelForYou
Finalists:
– Groupe Accor
– Rezidor Hotel Group
3. Best Initiative in Sustainable Development
Winner: InterContinental Hotels Group “Innovation Hotel”
Finalists:
– La Gree des Landes – Yves Rocher
– Pierre & Vacances / Center Parcs
4. Best Programme in Human Resources Management
Winner: Citizen M
Finalists:
– Rezidor Hotel Group
– Taj Hotels
5. Best Initiative in Hotel Management Training
Winner: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Finalists:
– Ecole de Savignac
– Institut Paul Bocuse
6. Best Innovative Concept in Limited Service Hotels
Winner: The Pod Hotel New York
Finalists:
– Keys Hotels
– Mama Shelter
7. Best Concept in Full Service Hotels
Winner: Meridien Hotels – Arrival Experience
Finalists:
– InterContinental Hotels & Resorts – Concierge Experience
– W Hotels – WOW Suite
8. Best Customer Relationship Management
Winner: Plaza Athenee Paris – Very Important Children
Finalists:
– Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
– InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
9. Best Hotel Novelty of the Year
Winner: Park Hyatt Paris Vendome – Healthy Living
Finalists:
– Accor Thalassa
– SBM Monte Carlo Beach
10. Best General Manager
Winner: Kai Speth – Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Finalists:
– Stefan Schwind, Kempinski Zografski Sofia
– Carina Svensen-Willamson – Hotel Missoni Edinburgh.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
