Recently the heroes of the Middle East hospitality industry were recognised by their peers at the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2008.
The glittering ceremony was attended by almost 600 industry stalwarts. With an incredibly strong shortlist of nominees picked across the Middle East, it was no easy task for the judges to choose the deserving winners.
Courtyard by Marriott Dubai Green Community proved to be a big winner on the night, winning the top award for the coveted 'General Manager of the Year'. General Manager Elaine Watson clinched the most prestigious trophy.
According to Elaine, "I was truly shocked but delighted to win this award. I was amazed to be in the short list and never for a moment thought that I will be able to win.
The Hotelier Middle East Awards has been long remembered as one of the best industry awards event ever. Elaine Watson is Marriott International's first female General Manager in the Middle East, introduced Marriott's pioneering Courtyard brand to the UAE and the second Marriott Executive Apartments to Dubai in 2005.A Qualified Accountant who began her career in hotels 15 years ago as a Financial Controller in the UK, Elaine held posts as a Rooms Division Manager and Operations Manager with franchisee Marriott properties before joining Marriott in July 2001 as the pre-opening General Manager for the first Marriott Executive Apartments in Dubai Creek.
Elaine successfully launched the Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek - the first of this brand in the Middle East, which saw her win the Marriott International Global Diversity Award. Elaine now leads the team at the first Courtyard Brand in the UAE and the second Marriott Executive Apartments since February 2005.
Her knowledge of Dubai and the region has been a positive influence to the success of these two hotel openings that Elaine has done. She is a member of the British Business Council and Marriott Business Council and is actively involved in the Culture Committee which is led by Marriott managers ensuring the Marriott philosophy and culture is alive within all business units. Elaine is very much up to date with the industry trends and she is always looking for ways to improve guest services and hotel performance. She is very much in touch with the hotel guests and makes herself visible in the lobby to welcome and talk to the guests.
Elaine is very driven and takes charge in creating change to move forward. She settles for nothing short of excellence as she believes that it translates directly back to the guests. She is very involved in the day to day operations of each department and is always available to offer support to her management team. She inspires her management team to think outside the box and her slogan 'What gets measured gets done' encourages her team to be proactive in all undertakings. Her focus and attention to detail inspires and encourages those around her to keep going further and further - she is truly passionate in all that she does. This drive is the main contributor to the recent successes that she achieved in the 2008 Marriott International conference. It was a huge achievement for her to win not only General Manager of the Year 2007 but also International Hotel of the Year 2007. In addition to this, she had also received Diamond awards for both GM 2007 and Hotel 2007.
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Contact: M.S. Bobby
Telephone: (9714) 607-7811
Fax: (9714) 607-7011
Email: bobby.subramaniam@marriotthotels.com
© Press Release 2008
