'Hotel hero' Dias is awarded Steward of the year

The winner of the Stewarding Person of the Year award, sponsored by Ronai at last night's Hotelier Middle East Awards was Lourenco Dias at the JW Marriott Dubai.

Dias was presented the award at the glittering 1920's-themed night by Gavin Dodd, managing director of Ronai. 

Highly Commended in this catagory was Sardar Aurangzeb Goher from the Crowne Plaza Hotel Bahrain.

The judges described Dias as a "true hotel hero", dedicated to his profession and his property. He joined JW Marriott Dubai as a utility helper in 1994 and today, proudly holds the title of Chief Steward and runs the department, which is busier, yet leaner, than ever. In the face of austerity, higher performance standards and increased workload, he has beaten all the odds — his team reached a Marriott record of 100% in job satisfaction this year.