Meet the Judges: Hotelier Middle East Awards 2014
Guy Wilkinson is practically a member of the Hotelier Middle East team, having written columns for the magazine for 11 years and been a loyal Awards judge over the decade. When he’s not writing, Wilkinson’s full-time role involves managing Viability, the hospitality and real estate consultancy he founded in Dubai. He has a successful track record of strategic thinking for major hotel chains, tourism authorities and property owners in the Gulf and Middle East. Wilkinson has contributed to some 400 projects throughout the Middle East and Africa. As another Awards approaches, Wilkinson says he is excited to welcome new judges to the panel.
“Of the various hotel awards that have sprung up in the region (and I am a judge on two others as well), these are the ones that drill down most effectively into the true reasons why a certain hotel, department or hotelier deserves to be recognised in a specific year. I feel that the judging mechanism and the mix of backgrounds represented on the Hotelier judging panel really allows for fair judgements to be made, and it is thrilling then to see how delighted the recipients are with their well-deserved awards,” comments Wilkinson.
Famed for championing the underdog and a true proponent of the Hotelier Middle East Awards’ goal to celebrate unsung heroes, he adds: “The awards are designed to highlight such key virtues as excellence, innovation, passion and dedication. Every year we see outstanding examples of all these qualities, and I am sure this year will be no different. It is amazing to know how much hoteliers love their jobs, at every level of the business! I am therefore looking forward once again to seeing nominations that show us how many ways that zeal can be channelled into creating a wonderful guest experience.”
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