PRHTA honors excellence in tourism sector
The Hix Island House hotel took one of two “green awards” bestowed by the PRHTA this year.
The Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association wrapped up its recent annual convention with a luncheon in which it announced this year’s winners of its excellence in tourism awards.
The “Hotelier of the Year” honor was awarded to José Padín, general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in Isla Verde, for “his dedication and commitment to the tourism industry.”
Daphne Barbeito, owner of Grand Events and Cruceros to Go was presented the “Allied of the Year Award,” and Guillermo Márquez of Casino del Sol at the Courtyard by Marriott in Isla Verde was awarded “Casino Member of the Year.”
In the different categories such as employee, supervisor and manager the winners were as follows. In the hotel category, employees of the year were Ana Afanador, of the Ritz Carlton San Juan Hotel Spa and Casino and Laura Rodríguez, of the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino; supervisor of the year went to Román Cadore, of the Caribe Hilton; while manager of the year went to Héctor Aponte of the Rio Mar Beach Resort.
In the casino category, the employee of the year was Aldemaro Ray Guerrero of the San Juan Marriott and Stellaris Casino; supervisor of the year went to Jannies Casiano, of the San Juan Marriott and Stellaris Casino; and manager of the year honors went to Jennifer Nieves, of the Casino Metro.
In the restaurant category, the employee of the year distinction went to Lydia Pagán, of the Café Pierre @ Double Tree by Hilton; supervisor of the year went to Juan Rodríguez, of the Río Mar Beach Resort and Spa; and manager of the year honors went to Raúl Correa, of the San Juan Water Beach Club.
The PRHTA also presented its “Green Awards” to participants who are and have been committed to environmental conservation and in compliance with environmental policies. The winners were: “Green Hotel of the Year,” Río Mar Beach Resort and Spa, and “Green Small Inn,” Guánica 1929 and Hix Island House.
