Major accolades have been claimed by three of New Zealand’s cities at the 2019 New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards tonight, with Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch all among the winners list.
Capping off another successful two-day NZHIC conference at The Cordis, Auckland, the event saw high performing staff across the New Zealand industry celebrated for its achievements, initiatives and customer satisfaction ratings after a challenging year for the country.
The night’s top award of General Manager of the Year went to Jeremy Healy from the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour – who was selected for consistently displaying outstanding leadership qualities among his colleagues and for guests.
Equally significant was the award for Senior Hotel Executive of the Year, which was bestowed on Paul Columbus from Novotel Auckland Airport. Celebrated as a passionate hotelier who achieved outstanding financial performance for his hotel, Columbus was noted as being a highly active member of the Auckland tourism community, who is also currently in his fifth year as Chairman of Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
Special recognition went to Sudima Christchurch Airport, which took out the award for Environmental Initiative of the Year for encouraging every team member to cut their carbon output across every hotel department. The hotel recently became the first on the South Island to be accredited as CarboNZero.
Outstanding Young Hotel Executive of the Year was awarded to Millbrook Resort Food & Beverage Operations Manager, Matt McDonald, recognising his efforts to reduce staff turnover, double the department’s profitability and for his efforts helping to develop and mentor young hospitality students in the city.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa Hotel Sector Manager, Sally Attfield, said the award recipients were emblematic of the standard of New Zealand’s hospitality sector representatives.
“They show our hotel sector is in good heart and is providing people with excellent career opportunities across a range of disciplines.”
The full list of winners from the 2019 NZHIC Awards evening:
Hotel Industry General Manager of the Year, sponsored by AHS Hospitality
Jeremy Healy, General Manager, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour.
Hotel Industry Senior Hotel Executive of the Year, sponsored by Dalman Architects of Space
Paul Columbus, General Manager, Novotel Auckland Airport.
Hotel Industry Outstanding Young Hotel Executive of the Year, sponsored by Sparkle Master Drycleaners
Matt McDonald, Food & Beverage Operations Manager, Millbrook Resort, Queenstown.
Hotel Industry Environmental Initiative of the Year
Sudima Christchurch Airport.
Hotel Industry Technology Employee of the Year, sponsored by GuestTraction
Ella Blake, Assistant Hotel Manager, Bolton Hotel, Wellington.
Hotel Industry Administration Employee of the Year
Nicolette van Lieshout, Building Futures Project Manager, Accor New Zealand Regional Office.
Hotel Industry Concierge of the Year, sponsored by Sparkle Master Drycleaners
Frederique Irion, Concierge, Cordis, Auckland.
Hotel Industry Food and Beverage Employee of the Year
Bonn Tucker, Food and Beverage Supervisor, Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin.
Hotel Industry Front Office Services Employee of the Year, sponsored by the New Zealand School of Tourism
Kevin Dias, Front Office Manager, Sudima Auckland Airport.
Hotel Industry Housekeeper Employee of the Year, sponsored by Vendella
Nicolas Souto, Executive Housekeeper, Millbrook Resort, Queenstown.
Hotel Industry Regional Hotel Employee of the Year, sponsored by Linenmaster
Edward Judd, General Manager, Novotel & ibis Rotorua,
Hotel Industry Revenue Manager of the Year, sponsored by ARMA
Mark Nixon, Revenue and Reservations Manager, Bolton Hotel, Wellington
Hotel Industry Sales, Marketing & Distribution Employee of the Year, sponsored by Fastrack Digital
Elizabeth Burrett, Marketing Manager, SKYCITY Hotels, Sky Tower and Tourism, SKYCITY Entertainment Group.