Benoit Thebaut, Co-Founder of The Hotelier Awards, talked to TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific about the The Hotelier Awards that happened recently in Bangkok.
Mr Benoit Thebaut, Co-Founder of The Hotelier Awards, answered the following questions:
- First of all we would like to tell us how The Hoteliers Award started
- So, what is happening today in this event?
Bangkok, Thailand – The Hotelier Awards, an annual prestigious hospitality excellence award, is pleased to announce the 87 finalists for 2018 Asia competition. The only award platform of its kind in Asia, it recognises individuals’ professional excellence across the hospitality sector.
For the first time since its launch five years ago, The Hotelier Awards is hosting two separate competitions, one for Asia and one for Greater China. Applications for the Asia competition were accepted from the beginning of January 2018 and closed with a 117% increase in the number of entries from over 107 properties. Applications for Greater China opened from the 12th March and finalists will be announced on the 16th July 2018.
Five finalists from 16 categories and eight General Manager finalists for Asia were announced yesterday evening in an intimate ceremony held at the Park Hyatt Bangkok. The hoteliers were carefully selected by a panel of expert judges, who flew in from around the world to finalise their selection. The judging panel this year includes Alison Gilmore, Portfolio Director of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), Michel Lamunière, Chairman & CEO, Edipresse Asia, Christophe Laurent, Values Ambassador of Ecole Hôtelière De Lausanne (EHL), Jenny Soo, Head of Workplace Experience APAC, Jones Lang LaSalle Property Consultants Pte and Christine Gamarra, Senior Operations Lead for LRA by Deloitte.
New to the judging panel, Christophe Laurent, expressed his thoughts, “It is with my expert eyes, extensive involvement and professional heart for this ever-changing world of hospitality that I am reading through, with emotions, the testimonials of this year’s Hotelier Awards finalists. Amazing careers, remarkable professionals, I am captivated by the high standards of the applicants and feel privileged to be a part of the Judging Panel for the first time. My task is challenging, proof that we are dealing with truly, committed hoteliers, regardless of their current professional activities, responsibilities and achievements.”
Christine Gamarra, shared her views as a new judge “It is a true privilege to have the opportunity to experience the personal excellence of this year’s candidates for The Hotelier Awards. I am inspired by the number of unique stories detailing the hard work, dedication, innovation and motivation of each person’s commitment to their hotel, colleagues and guests. I am so proud to be associated with these individuals that exemplify the true spirit of hospitality. I am humbled by those that have prevailed against socio-economic, political and environmental odds that have affected the Asian hotel market in 2017. As this is my first year as a judge, I can sense that 2017 was a difficult year for many and I am honoured to be granted the occasion to recognise and celebrate the year’s top achievers.”
All winners for the Asia Award will be announced and celebrated during a lavish awards ceremony at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre on the 23rd May 2018. The prestigious evening will be one that is full of cheer, as light is shone on the winners and industry professionals.
The Hotelier Awards has become a benchmark for professional excellence in Asia, recognising and honouring individuals from hotel properties across Greater China and the rest of Asia.
GENERAL MANAGER FINALISTS: ASIA
- Nopparat Aumpa, Area VP/General Manager- Banyan Tree Bangkok
- Hemal Jain, General Manager- Alila Ubud
- Tarun Kalra, General Manager- The Warehouse Hotel
- Pascal Caubo, General Manager- Intercontinental Bandung Dago Pakar
- Justin Malcolm, General Manager- Le Meridien Saigon
- Matthew Cooper, General Manager- JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square
- Dottie Wurgler Cronin, General Manager- Marco Polo Davao
- Carlos Monterde, General Manager- Fairmont Jakarta
CHEF HOTELIER: ASIA
- Maurizio Bombini, Executive Chef- Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Azizskandar Awang, Executive Chef- Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort
- Twedi Martatna, Executive Chef- Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel
- Robert Stirrup, Director of Culinary Operations- Fairmont Singapore & Swissôtel The Stamford
- Min Kyu Kim, Executive Sous Chef- Park Hyatt Seoul
CONCIERGE HOTELIER: ASIA
- Prakash C. Raman, Chief Concierge- Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa Singapore
- Robert Viana, Executive Floor Butler- Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
- Theerasak Kumwong, Chief of Concierge- Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
- Marcelo Ripa III, Chief Concierge- Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
- Eddy Tan, Director of Guest Relations- Swissôtel The Stamford
ENGINEERING HOTELIER: ASIA
- Nicholas Lee, Chief Engineer- Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore
- Jeffrey Adlawan, Chief Engineer- Marco Polo Davao
- Imron Rosyadi, Director of Engineering- Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel
- Eric Enriquez, Chief Engineer- Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
- Octavianus Mugang, Chief Engineer- Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa
FINANCE HOTELIER: ASIA
- Peter Toi Huat Heng, Director of Finance- Conrad Centennial Singapore
- Toh Mui Lay, Financial Controller- Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford
- Shirley Sinlao, Director of Finance- Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
- Chin Yoke Soo, Finance Manager- Hilton Singapore
- Hew Lee Yin, Director of Finance & Business Support- Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore
FOOD & BEVERAGE HOTELIER: ASIA
- Anuj Sharma, Director of Operations- Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Joseph Park, Director of Operations- Courtyard By Marriott Seoul Namdaemun
- Ngakan Made Artana Yasa, Dava Restaurant Manager- Ayana Resort And Spa, Bali
- Joern Schwaiger, Executive Assistant Manager, Food & Beverage- Fairmont Singapore
- & Swissôtel The Stamford
- Benjaporn Wongsomboon, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage- The St. Regis Bangkok
FRONT OFFICE HOTELIER: ASIA
- Ni Nyoman Rekayanti, Director of Rooms- Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Sarmeith Ploak, Assistant Front Office Manager- Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor
- Ni Ketut Yuniarti, Director of Rooms- Rimba Jimbaran Bali by Ayana
- Khun Sarith, Front Desk Manager- Arunreas Hotel
- Im Srey Aun, Front Office Supervisor- Amansara
HOTEL MANAGER/ RESIDENT MANAGER: ASIA
- Erlangga Farizky, Director of Operations- Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali
- Robert Conte, Hotel Manager- Le Meridien Saigon
- Kristanti Tannady, Hotel Manager- Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort
- Koy Kol, Hotel Manager- Jaya House River Park
- I Gede Sujana, Hotel Manager- Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel
HOUSE KEEPING HOTELIER: ASIA
- Long Choy Lay, Executive Housekeeper- Conrad Centennial Singapore
- Dam Thi Kieu, Executive Housekeeper- Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa
- Susan Lam, Director of Housekeeping- The St. Regis Singapore
- Chaiwut Boriharn, Housekeeping Supervisor- The St. Regis Bangkok
- Chaya Bana, Housekeeping Manager- Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa
HUMAN RESOURCES HOTELIER: ASIA
- Magdalene Tai, Director of Talent & Culture- Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford
- Larsey Guieb, Learning and Development Manager- Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
- Niluh Purwiasih, Director of Human Resources- Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Sofrida Saraswati, Director of Human Resource- Fairmont Jakarta
- Jaka Setia, Learning and Development Manager- Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HOTELIER: GREATER CHINA
- Lis Cahyono, IT Manager- Ayana Resort And Spa, Bali
- Viknaraja Kumar Selvanayagam, IT Manager- Hilton Singapore
- Kurniawan Warsono, Assistant Director of IT- Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta
- Ki Jin Lee, Assistant IT Manager- Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun
- Danny Lim, Director of IT- The Fullerton Hotel and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS: ASIA
- Yasmine Hidalgo, PR Director- Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
- Cassie Chew, Director of Marketing Communications- The St. Regis Singapore
- Jac Dave Pimentel, Ecommerce Director- Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
- Lindsay Grace Kinniburgh, Director of Public Relation and Marketing Communications-Ayana Resort And Spa, Bali
- Nguyen Thi Huyen, Director of Marketing and Communications- Sheraton Hanoi Hotel
OWNER REPRESENTATIVE: ASIA
- Francis R. Ledesma, Owner- Marco Polo Davao
- Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice President-SMHCC- Conrad Manila
- Lily Te Pedrosa, Owner- Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
- Hidekazu Tanaka, Owner- L’Hotel Du Lac
- Adeline Quek, Director- L Hotel Seminyak
SALES HOTELIER: ASIA
- Lillian Tan, Director of Sales and Marketing- Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort
- Vincent Pauchon, Director of Sales & Marketing- Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Mark Muscat De Celis, Director of Sales and Marketing- Le Meridien Saigon
- Supansa Bourke, Director of Sales- The St. Regis Bangkok
- Jin Ah Kim, Senior Sales Manager- Park Hyatt Seoul
SOMMELIER HOTELIER
- Lucas Jung, Chief Sommelier & BLT Steak Restaurant Manager- JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul
- Satoru Mori, Executive Sommelier- Conrad Tokyo
- Ngurah Adnyana Koriawan, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage- Ayana Resort And Spa, Bali
- Kyung Jin Cho, Outlet Manager of Italian Restaurant- Park Hyatt Seoul
THE UNSUNG HERO
- I Wayan Dyana Antara “Smiley”, Recreation Supervisor- Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran
- Sumiati, Hotshoppe Supervisor- JW Marriott Jakarta
- Salasiah Mahat, Assistant Housekeeper- Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road, Singapore
- Ni Made Sunari, Organic Gardener Ambassador- Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
- Seng Sokuntheary, Chief Accountant- Plantation – Urban Resort & Spa
WELLNESS & SPA HOTELIER: ASIA
- Made Warnata, Recreation Manager- Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Tan Li Ping, Lifestyle Manager- Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur
- Thea Huang, Director of Spa- Fairmont Singapore & Swissôtel The Stamford
- Elva Zhao, Spa Manager- Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore
- Supanee Tientongtip, Spa Director- Mandara Spa at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotels & Towers
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
