Local hotels recognised at State awards
The Australian Hotels Association Western Australia has announced the winners for the 2013 Hotel and Hospitality Awards for Excellence, and the North West has taken home its share of honours.
The Karratha International Hotel and the Esplanade in Port Hedland competed against hospitality venues around the State to win the Best Environmental Practice and Best Redeveloped Venue Award.
AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the AHA Aon Hotel and Hospitality Awards for Excellence recognise accommodation hotels, pubs, bars, dining and entertainment venues as well as employees that demonstrate excellence within the hospitality industry.
“There was tough competition in all award categories,” Mr Woods said.
“This year, hospitality venues in Western Australia have again provided excellent venues and services for the public to enjoy.”
The AHA(WA) presented 42 awards that recognise the best of the hospitality industry in WA.
Among the 1200 guests who joined the finalists and award recipients at the James Squire Gala Ball in Perth was Donald Stewart, General Manager at the Karratha International Hotel.
Mr Stewart said The Karratha International Hotel team is proud to be the 2013 recipient and winner of the AHA WA Best Environmental Practice award.
“We are all faced with the same challenges when it comes to managing our energy, both from a cost point of view and the impact on our environment,” he said.
“We embarked upon a program of identifying where and how we use our energy around the property and from there established what actions we could take to be more efficient and cost effective.”
Mr Stewart said the hotel introduced a voltage optimiser that regulates voltage supply at a constant 230 volts, preventing peaks and troughs in consumption and therefore minimising costs and potential damage to equipment.
The KIH also installed heat pump hot water and split air-conditioning systems to the accommodation rooms, replaced central air handling system with more efficient split units and installed LED lighting throughout rooms and main buildings.
The KIH was up against the Holiday Inn Perth City Centre to win WA’s Best Environmental Practice award and The Esplanade Hotel in Port Hedland was a finalist alongside Brass Monkey Hotel, Newman Hotel, The Butterworth Bar & Kitchen and The Craftsman before taking home the award for WA’s Best Redeveloped Venue.
A full list of winners can be at ww.hospitalitywa.com/awards.
Source: Pilbara Echo, 2 December 2013
