ROUND Hill Hotel General Manager Omar Robinson, Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort Spa Greenhouse Technician Omar Todd, and Valentine McKenzie, head chef at Couples Sans Souci, were named ‘Hotelier of the Year’, ‘Hotel Employee of the Year’ and ‘Hotel Manager of the Year’, respectively, by the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) at its 51st awards luncheon at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel recently.

Robinson, who has worked in tourism for the past 23 years, is credited with implementing a range of innovations that have improved Round Hill’s overall image and positioning as a five-star hotel. Also active in community and philanthropic activities, the JHTA recognised him “for steadfast dedication and commitment to the industry and for modelling all the important attributes of the consummate hotel manager”.

Todd, who began his career in 2005 as a landscaper, is a member of the team that keeps the famous green turf at his hotel in pristine state, and is well known for “creating spectacular decor and ambience”. He is active in his church and several charitable endeavours, including a young men’s group which provides meals for homeless people.

McKenzie, whose culinary expertise is often praised by guests at Couples Sans Souci, was a proud member of the coaching team which led his hotel to win gold, silver and bronze awards at the 2011 Taste of Jamaica culinary competition.

Meanwhile, Reggae Marathon copped the Abe Issa Award and veteran hoteliers Helga Stockert and Jag Mehta were recipients of the Lifetime Achievement awards.

Reggae Marathon was lauded for “sustained organisational excellence in staging the annual Reggae Marathon” as well as for generating substantial foreign exchange earnings, invaluable publicity for Jamaica, encouraging the development of middle- and long-distance running and enhancing Jamaica’s image.

Stockert, who migrated to Jamaica from Germany in 1958 with her mother and sister, was recognised for leadership of the Hotel Four Seasons which enjoys year-round high occupancy and for her “stellar contribution to Jamaica’s tourism, playing a pioneering role in the growth and development of the European market”.

Mehta has devoted 52 years to tourism, serving not just the JHTA but the Caribbean Hotel & Tourist Association, as well. The JHTA lauded his contributions in the 1970s to “clearing the way for local staff to take up management positions that had been held almost exclusively by foreigners and for Jamaican guests to feel welcome in hotels”.

Also in the winners’ row in the Allied Members category were Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited — ‘Purveyor of the Year’; Holiday Services Limited — ‘Ground Transportation Operator of the Year’; Chukka Caribbean — ‘Attraction of the Year’; and JetBlue Airways — ‘International Airline of the Year’.

The Jamaica Public Service Company presented two awards for ‘Best Use of Energy’ in demonstration of its “commitment to assisting the industry’s growth and productivity through the efficient use of energy”.

The award, which recognises “hotels that were able to generate growth through high occupancy levels and use energy efficiently to achieve that objective”, was won by Club Ambiance in the Under 100 Rooms category and Sandals Grande Riviera in the Over 100 Rooms category.