Fitness/ Spa Person of the Year
Paris Kounoudis, Director of spa, The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal
How has winning a Hotelier Award impacted your career?
Winning a Hotelier Award has definitely helped my career as I have been recognised from my company worldwide as well as from colleagues all around Middle East and Africa. It’s a prestigious award and has helped me to boost my career establishing myself as one of the best in the region.
What advice would you give other hoteliers hoping to win?
My advice is that since the awards are based on achievements, candidates need to focus on their business, increasing all measurable parameters like guest satisfaction, revenue, profit, etc. and create and develop new innovating ideas to drive all key elements of their business. If they have a proven record of doing that then they are very close to winning.
Are you still working at the same hotel?
I am taking a new position in September within the company as director of lifestyle in a new opening luxury collection resort.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I will keep enjoying my work in hotels and I hope I will climb the hotel management ladder.
Housekeeper of the Year
Akshi Singh, Cluster Director of Housekeeping, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Al Thuraya City, Kuwait
How has winning a Hotelier Award impacted your career?
Winning a Hotelier Award has been a dream I aspired for long and it is now my USP. I am now writing features in local magazines and also am invited for several forums and meetings. Overall it has focused a spotlight on me which has served as a tremendous motivation and has got me recognition and respect internationally.
Are you still at the same hotel?
Yes. I am at the same hotel, but manage two properties as a cluster director. We are in the process of opening an InterContinental hotel in 2018. We will have all three brands in a single complex — namely a Holiday Inn; a Crowne Plaza, and the new InterContinental property.
What advice would you give other hoteliers also hoping to win a Hotelier Award?
What I would say to all aspirants of the award is that, if you want to be facilitated by the Hotelier Awards you really need to be a leader and in both thinking and doing. The award gets the best pitted against the best and an elite panel of distinguished industry specialists judge your achievements. You need to show not only that you are a master of your game but also a game changer.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I am passionate about my arena and aim to manage multiple properties under my belt. Having a team of highly efficient and dedicated executive housekeepers assist me in redefining, elevating, and innovating the standards of housekeeping.
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