MMI's general manager, Mike Glen, presented Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek's Maria Tullberg with the award.
Maria Tullberg from Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, won the highly coveted General Manager of the Year Award at the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2016.
This category was sponsored by MMI and presented by MMI's general manager, Mike Glen.
The judges felt Tullberg had made a hugely positive impact on the hotel - which has been operating for more than 40 years - and noted that, under her leadership, the hotel has accelerated its renovation projects, while launching new facilities.
They also recognised that she joined the property at a difficult time in the market, yet delivered sensible cost management without compromising the quality of service to guests, leading to customer satisfaction being at an all-time high.
Tullberg beat off stiff competition from other talented hoteliers who made it onto the final shortlist, including Adham Al Sebaey, Hilton Doha; Eleni Tsolakou, Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana; Iftikhar Hamdani, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman & Ramada Beach Hotel; and Katrin Herz, Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz Carlton Hotel.
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The judges awarded highly commended to Kai Schukowski from Kempinski Hotel Ajman, singling him out as someone who really made their mark as general manager in the short time that he has been in the role.
Tullberg, who oversees a team of more than 530 employees, leads Carlson Rezidor’s Women in Leadership programme in the UAE, which attempts to empower women and increase their number at executive management levels within the group.
Speaking to Hotelier at the old Hollywood glamour-themed event, which took place on October 26 at The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Tullberg commented on what motivates her to help others in this way.
Having worked in hospitality for more than two decades, said that she enjoys 'helping people grow and seeing people flourish".
She added that her advice to anyone wanting to forge a career in the hotel industry would be "follow your heart and go with without whatever you feel is right for you because, if you do that, everything wil just fall into place".
In terms of what's next for the property, Tullberg revealed: "We have lots of plans and will continue the renovation. The next phase will be renovating all of the hotel rooms; it's going to be a big renovation year for us next year."
She revealed that this challenges does not daunt her. "We faced a lot of hassle during the renovation work but, despite all the noise, we still managed to raise employee and customer satisfaction," she remarked.
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