Hotel staff across the country have been recognised for their efforts and hard work, with the finalists being named for the 2019 New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards.
The awards celebrate individuals across a range of roles in hotels, ranging from the front office to the general manager.
The Hotel Industry Awards has narrowed the selection down to 39 finalists, who will compete across 13 award categories. The 2019 Awards are the first year with the Hotel Industry Technology Employee of the Year award, which recognises someone who has made an ‘exceptional contribution in championing a technology project that has led to increased guest satisfaction and operational efficiency’.
Sally Attfield, hotel sector manager at Tourism Industry Aotearoa, said the awards fill a niche in New Zealand, rewarding the efforts of those filling vital roles in New Zealand.
“There are numerous award programmes that recognise incredible hotels, but we aim to celebrate the people who are vital to delivering outstanding guest experiences. We also want to showcase the wide range of exciting career options available in the hotel sector,” said Attfield.
The awards are judged by a panel of industry experts. The winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner at Cordis Auckland on 20 June.
The full list of finalists:
Hotel Industry Administration Employee of the Year
• Katie Church, Millbrook Resort, Queenstown
• Mohammed Aslam, Heritage Hotel Auckland
• Nicolette van Lieshout, Accor New Zealand Regional Office
Hotel Industry Concierge of the Year
• Frederique Irion, Cordis, Auckland
• Nick Steele, Heritage Hotel Auckland
• Ruth Whitley, SKYCITY Grand Hotel, Auckland
Hotel Industry Environmental Initiative of the Year
• Cordis, Auckland
• James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, Wellington
• Sudima Christchurch Airport
Hotel Industry Food and Beverage Employee of the Year
• Bonn Tucker, Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin
• Florent Souche, QT Wellington
• Lance Webster, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, Wellington
Hotel Industry Front Office Services Employee of the Year
• Harry Flynn, Crowne Plaza Queenstown
• Kevin Dias, Sudima Auckland Airport
• Shuman (Monica) Dai, Cordis, Auckland
Hotel Industry General Manager of the Year
• Jeremy Healy, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
• Jim Moore, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
• Lynley Mckinnon, Chateau Marlborough
Hotel Industry Housekeeper Employee of the Year
• Kailash Mohan Singh Rana, Stamford Plaza Auckland
• Moana Puiri, Sudima Auckland Airport
• Nicolas Souto, Millbrook Resort, Queenstown
Hotel Industry Outstanding Young Hotel Executive of the Year
• Matt McDonald, Millbrook Resort, Queenstown
• Melissa Alexander, Scenic Hotel Auckland
• Vedika Jhunjhnuwala, Sudima Hotels
Hotel Industry Regional Hotel Employee of the Year
• Edward Judd, Novotel & ibis Rotorua
• Stéphan Rudich, Heritage Collection Portside Hotel Gisborne
Hotel Industry Revenue Manager of the Year
• Areesa Chunsangfah, Rydges Latimer Christchurch
• Mark Nixon, Bolton Hotel, Wellington
• Udji Dimayuga-Nocos, Rydges Wellington
Hotel Industry Sales, Marketing & Distribution Employee of the Year
• Amanda Youell, Millbrook Resort, Queenstown
• Elizabeth Burrett, SKYCITY Entertainment Group
• Lisa Breckon, CPG Hotels
• Marion Bausse, Cordis, Auckland
Hotel Industry Senior Hotel Executive of the Year
• Israel Suarez Guido, Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
• Paul Columbus, Novotel Auckland Airport
• Ronnie Ronalde, CPG Hotels
Hotel Industry Technology Employee of the Year
• Dipika Patel, Sudima Hotels
• Ella Blake, Bolton Hotel, Wellington
• Lisa Song, Four Points by Sheraton Auckland
