The glittering function was attended by over 200 leaders and representatives from the tourism and accommodation industries in addition to the newly appointed Shadow Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Federal Member for Paterson, the Hon. Bob Baldwin MP. McLeod's Daughters and Home and Away actress, Sophie Cleary, performed the role of MC at the event with the assistance of former Sydney Swans player Jared Crouch.
"The HMAA National Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence are all about achieving and maintaining the highest standards in the accommodation industry", said Lorraine Duffy, HMAA's Chief Executive. "HMAA understands and rewards the vital contribution of accommodation operators in creating, inspiring and promoting tourism, through providing the highest standards of service to their guests".
Constellation Hotels Managing Director, Jonathan Wooller said, "Winning the highly coveted Hotel Chain of the Year provides wonderful recognition for all of the properties that are part of Constellation Hotels extensive network across Australia and New Zealand.
In the past year we have worked hard to grow our hotel network, to build our brands in the regions in which they operate, and to develop our people as the future leaders in the hospitality industry, so we are thrilled to take home this award".
Constellation Hotels was selected as a winner from among four other finalists in the Hotel Chain of the Year category, where properties are judged in equal parts by a written submission and a mystery assessment. HMAA's Awards for Excellence are one of the only annual accommodation awards to incorporate a true mystery guest component in their judging process.
Constellation Hotels was also well represented across a wide range of individual award categories with the following hotel finalists recognised; Australis Diamond Beach Resort and Spa ((4 ½ Star Luxury Self Contained Accommodation), Chifley Eastern Creek and Chifley Doveton (4 ½ Star Luxury Hotel Accommodation), and Chifley Penrith (3 ½ Star Superior Hotel Accommodation).
In addition to the chain and property categories, Constellation Hotels Founder, Darryl Courtney O'Connor received an HMAA ACES award, which recognizes the outstanding contribution of long serving members within the accommodation industry.Ends.
PHOTO: Constellation Hotels Team – (Bottom row – left to right) Matthew Ryan, Nick Walker, Bill Bradley, Vince Wilson, (Top row – left to right) Nikki Walton, Darryl Courtney O'Conner, Ann Whitelock, Peter Sweeny, Cameron Stewart, James Gardiner, Kristen Carville, Jodie Cairns.
