In the presence of Mr. Gilles de Robien, French Minister for Transportation, Housing, Tourism and Maritime Affairs…
In the presence of Mr. Gilles de Robien, French Minister for Transportation, Housing, Tourism and Maritime Affairs, surrounded by nearly 600 managers and partners of the hotel industry, the award ceremony of the 2004 Worldwide Hospitality Awards took place on November 8th, at the Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower Hotel. It was chaired by David Michels, Chief Executive Officer of the Hilton Group, and Kurt Ritter, President & CEO, of Rezidor SAS Hospitality.
This major event in the calendar of the international hotel profession is the occasion to call attention to the most pioneering initiatives and the most successful projects of large hotel chains down to the most creative individual hotels. Within the unsteady state of the world`s economy and international tourism in particular, the Worldwide Hospitality Awards are more than just a mere competition, they serve to reveal new ideas and talent. They demonstrate the reactivity of a sector that is highly sensitive to the economic situation, though has a high degree of flexibility.
Awarding the Jury`s Grand Prize, Mr. Gilles de Robin was pleased to note that such an event, uniting so many international managers, took place in France, symbolising its role as a crossroads of tourism. He stressed that within a context that is still difficult for the transportation industry, and therefore tourism, that innovation by the major actors in the industry is fundamental for rapidly stepping out of the crisis.
The 2004 winners are:
The Jury`s Grand Prise was awarded to InterContinental Hotels Group for the success of its expansion after the separation of Six Continents: being the largest hotel group in the world in terms of the number of rooms, the launching of the new Indigo brand, the success of its Holiday Inn Express brand, its taking control of its internet distribution, the financial results that are strongly on the rise, the opportunistic policy of asset disposals…these are just some of the reasons that led to the jury`s selection of the group over the two other contenders: the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Group with the best revenue of all the luxury hotel groups and rapid expansion; the Hilton International Group for its strong resistance and development of its Hilton, Conrad, and Scandic brands.
1 – Best Advertising Campaign
Winner: Hilton International, for its “Hilton Weekends” campaign
Finalists: Dorchester Group, for its 2004 Plaza Athenee greeting card
InterContinental Hotels Group, for its “Stay Smart” Holiday Inn Express campaign
2 – Best Hotel Guide
Winner: Hotels & Preference
Finalists: Exclusive Hotels and Shangri-La
3 – Best Human Resources and Training Programme
Winner: EuroDisney, for its HAT (Hote d’Accueil Touristique) programme
Finalists: Novotel Montreal (Espace Vie) and Kempinski Hotels (Blended Learning Solution)
4 – Best Marketing Partnership and Customer Loyalty Programme
Winner: Dorchester Group for the Juicy Tubes at the Plaza Athenee with Maison Lancome
Finalists: Accor Group (Mouvango) and Hilton International (HHonors)
5 – Best Initiative for the Environment and Sustainable Development
Winner: Rezidor SAS Hospitality for its Responsible Business programme
Finalists: Accor Group (Fair commerce with Etap Hotel and Formule 1) and Scandic Hotels (SERECS environmental norms)
6 – Best Innovative Concept: construction, renovation, room and restaurant
Winner: SBM Monaco for the renovation and heightening of the Hermitage Hotel
Finalists: Rezidor SAS (new Radisson SAS Berlin) and Steigenberger Kurhaus The Hague Netherlands (The Result Room)
7- Best Fitness Room, Spa, Wellness Centre Concept
Winner: Relais & Chateaux Domaine de Rochevilaine for its Aquaphoenicia Spa
Finalists: Mandarin Oriental (Mandarin London Spa) and Thermes de Saint-Malo (Aquatonic)
8- Best Hotel Chef
Winner: Jean-Marie Gautier, Hotel du Palais in Biarritz
Finalists: Didier Corlou, Sofitel Hanoi, and Simon Young, Carlton Tower London, Jumeira Hotels International
9- Best Hotel Director
Winner: Paul Hutton, Hilton Kuwait
Finalists: Paolo Biscioni, Hilton Cavalieri Roma, and Palmiro Noschese, Melia Roma Aurelia Antica
The following also competed for the Worldwide Hospitality Awards: Bonsai Hotels, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Conrad Hotels, Country Inn, Domaine de Fayence Europa Park Resorts, Golden Tulip, Grandes Etapes Francaises, Groupe Lucien Barriere, Hilton Corporation, Inter-Hotel, Le Meridien, Les Jardins du Marais Home Plazza, Movenpick, NH Hoteles, RMH Balladins, Romantik Hotels, Starwood.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
