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For more information, please contact:
Mary-Ellen Willard, Director of Tourism (519) 622-2336 #2224
e-mail: willard@cambridgetourism.com
 (Cambridge,
Ontario, January 27, 2004) On Thursday, January 22, 2004 Cambridge Tourism
presented Romy Ahuja, Director of Sales at the Best Western Cambridge Hotel,
with the 2003 Hospitality Hero Grand Prize at their 2nd Annual Gala event.
Romy was chosen as the recipient of the 2003 Hospitality
Hero Grand Prize for providing outstanding customer service
excellence that shone above the rest. Romy went “above
and beyond” to assist some visitors who had requested
a corkscrew during their stay at the Best Western. When a
corkscrew could not be located at the hotel, Romy purchased
a brand new one along with some wine glasses in a basket
for a special delivery to the guests. Upon further investigation,
Cambridge Tourism discovered that this is the typical type
of service that Romy always tries to deliver. In another
instance, a guest had forgotten his bathing suit, so Romy
surprised him with a new bathing suit that he had purchased,
so that the guest could enjoy the pool. Most recently, he
made a couple’s stay over Christmas extra special after
hearing them comment that door-to-door carolling was the
only thing that they would really miss by not being at home
over Christmas. Using Christmas treats for motivation, Romy
organized for three children to go to their Suite door and
sing Christmas Carols.
Romy was chosen by a Selections Committee comprised of key
tourism industry individuals, members of the business community,
and representatives from the Media Partner businesses who
supported the program throughout the year. The selection
of the Grand Prize Winner was made by ranking each of the
past 12 monthly winners, on a scale of 1 through 10, against
a number of predetermined criteria. Criteria included rating
the positive impact on tourism in Cambridge and the individual’s
contribution to the tourism industry as a whole.
When called to the stage, Romy was almost speechless. He
exclaimed, “Wow! This is both the most overwhelming
and humbling experience of my life! It’s amazing to
see that the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and Cambridge
Tourism are rallying together to do this in the community.
It’s unbelievable! Our business relationship with Tourism
is second to none. Hats off for putting this together!”
As the Grand Prize Winner, Romy was presented with a custom-designed
award, engraved with his name and an all expense paid trip
for two to Quebec City. The package included three nights
accommodation at the Quality Suites Quebec, first-class round-trip
transportation for two by VIA Rail, $250 in spending money
from Scotiabank VISA, complimentary admission to Quebec City
attractions including Parc Aquarium and Jardin Zoologique
provided by Quebec Tourism and Cambridge Tourism merchandise
all tucked inside two matching backpacks.
The African Lion Safari was host to the Hospitality Hero
Awards Gala this year and with the assistance of Straight
Street Media, the room was transformed into a sparkling African
paradise. This dazzling event is designed to celebrate the
outstanding achievements of our 12 monthly winners. Each
is a hero in the eyes of Cambridge Tourism, as well as in
the eyes of the perfect strangers who nominated them. All
of our monthly winners deserve to be recognized for their
positive contribution to the tourism industry.
2003 Monthly winners were:
- January 2003
Gowri Ragu, Holiday Inn Cambridge
- February 2003 Linda Elder,
Kwik Kopy
- March 2003 Janice Primeau, Regis Salon
- April 2003 Sigi
Ringwald, Rushes Restaurant, Waterloo Inn
- May 2003 Linda
Outwater, Holiday Inn Kitchener
- June 2003 Vatche Soghomonian,
Galaxy Cinemas
- July 2003 Mary Schmalz, Forever Young Day
Spa Centre
- August 2003 Kathy Martz & Tammy Lawton, Grand
Accents
- September 2003 Maya Chakravarti, African Lion Safari
- October
2003 Christina Bradley, Wings of Paradise
- November 2003
Ryan Da Silva, Stars Men’s Shop
- December 2003 Romy
Ahuja, Best Western Cambridge Hotel.
The Hospitality Hero Awards Program,
launched in October 2001, is designed to recognize individual
achievement in providing outstanding customer service and
hospitality to visitors to Cambridge and the surrounding
area. Awards are presented based on nominations received
from visitors and local area residents. Nomination forms
are available at over 280 Cambridge Tourism Partner businesses
and at Gateway - The Cambridge Visitor & Business Information
Centre. Nominations can also be submitted on the Cambridge
Tourism website www.cambridgetourism.com.
Nominations can also be
submitted online at the Cambridge Tourism website
www.cambridgetourism.com
Nominate a Hero today!
THE HOSPITALITY HERO AWARDS
PROGRAM IS 100% FUNDED & SUPPORTED BY THE TOURISM INDUSTRY:
Sponsored by:
Media Partners:
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Cambridge Tourism
750 Hespeler Road, Cambridge ON N3H 5L8 • 1-800-749-7560 •
www.cambridgetourism.com
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