The '2007 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year', Josef Forstmayr (centre), managing director of the Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Montego Bay, displays his Golden Conch as he accepts the coveted award during the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism conference's final night gala and award dinner at the Hyatt Regency in Miami on Tuesday night. Sharing in the occasion, from left, are Peter Odle, president of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA); Lucy Barrios, manager - Destination Markets, American Express; Peter Yesawich, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and Russell; and Alec Sanguinetti, executive director, CHA. - Photo by Janet Silvera

Janet Silvera,Senior Tourism Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Culturally Austrian, emotionally Jamaican, Josef Forstmayr's alliance lies with Jamaica, and this came to life during his six-line acceptance speech of the coveted '2007 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year' award in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday night.

"This is for Jamaica. One Love," was the profound statement that resonated in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, as the distinguished managing director of the Round Hill Hotel and Villas raised the 'Golden Conch' in the air during the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism final night gala and awards dinner.

Joining the ranks of tourism maestros, SuperClubs' John Issa and Jag Mehta; Sandals Resorts Internationals' Gordon 'Butch' Stewart; Heinz Simonistch, former managing director of Half Moon; and the late Ken Kennedy, Fortsmayr said he couldn't have done this without the island he has come to call home - Jamaica.

Achievement pinnacle

A recognition which came directly from his peers, the award, a major highlight of the annual conference, is considered the pinnacle of one's achievement.

Each year a winner is chosen who exemplifies the highest standards of leadership and commitment to the continued success of the Caribbean hotel industry.

"Josef is a man who knows what it means to lead, to aim for nothing short of excellence in hospitality, and to give back to the community generously - clearly deserving of this award," said Peter Odle, president of the Caribbean Hotel Association and a winner of the Caribbean Hotelier of the Year 2000.

Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell and American Express sponsor the annual tribute.

Nominated by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, that organisation's executive director, Camille Needham, pointed out that the two-times 'Jamaican Hotelier of the Year' satisfied the criteria for the award.

"When you think of the contribution he has made to tourism, not just in Jamaica, but throughout the region, he is extremely deserving. This was long overdue," she said.

Forstmayr, an Austrian native, is most renowned for his transformation of the Round Hill, where he has positioned the resort as a five-star hotel, which he credits to exceptional staff training and motivation.

His ongoing human resource agenda includes a 'Train the Trainer Programme', through which department heads and supervisors are trained and given the tools to continue and maintain the process with their respective teams of personnel.

Josef Forstmayr is actively in Jamaica's tourism industry, serving consecutive terms as president of the JHTA. Under his leadership, he helped enact an insurance plan for small hotels and their staff.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com