Debbie Taylor, RAC Hotelier of the Year
LONDON. UK, October 17, 2005. Debbie Taylor, General Manager of Rocco Forte Hotels' The Balmoral, has been awarded the RAC Hotelier of the Year Award. The annual RAC Industry Stars awards are given to individuals in the UK and Ireland hotel industry who have demonstrated dedication, commitment and a unique quality that makes them stand out from their peers.
RAC Hotels Business Manager, Linda Astbury, commented, "Debbie has transformed many aspects of the hotel - especially with her concentration on customer care. In her notably successful team building among the staff, she has set the highest standards in personnel management."
This prestigious award is a testament to Debbie's vision for The Balmoral, which is "to be the best hotel in Britain". Debbie has spearheaded a cutting-edge customer care training strategy to ensure that her team are equipped with the essential skills to allow them to carry out their duties and ultimately provide an outstanding experience for all guests and visitors to The Balmoral.
Debbie has also created a dynamic and rewarding working environment for her team through various staff initiatives, such as a staff welfare plan, management and supervisory team building days, quarterly staff reviews, and succession planning within The Balmoral and Rocco Forte Hotels.
This award joins The Balmoral's impressive list of accolades over the past year, which include a Scottish Thistle Award for Customer Care - Hotel of the Year, Edinburgh's Hotel of the Year by HotelReviewScotland.com and, most recently, a place within Europe's top ten business hotels as nominated by European Business magazine.
Debbie Taylor commented: "I am thrilled to receive this prestigious award, but would like to attribute it to my world-class team. I am very honoured to work with such professional and dedicated people, who provide our guests with the highest standards of hospitality."
Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and Chief Executive of Rocco Forte Hotels, said: "I'm delighted that Debbie has been recognised for her hard work and passion not only for the industry, but also for the development and success of her colleagues. I believe luxury hotels should provide an exceptional level of personalised service and Debbie's ongoing commitment to putting guests' needs first make her an important asset to the Rocco Forte Hotels team."
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