Hard work gains Sea Breeze the National Tourism Excellence Award

By Deidre Fanene 09 January 2017, 12:00AM

The National Tourism Excellence Award for 2017 went to the Sea Breeze Resort on Saturday night Held at the Taumeasina Island Resort, the inaugural event is the initiative by the Samoa Tourism Authority to recognise the outstanding performances of tourism and hospitality businesses across the country.

The National Tourism Excellence award which was sponsored by Digicel Samoa was one of the two awards that went to the resort; the other being the Best Accommodation Award sponsored by the Bank of the South Pacific.

In an interview with the owner of the resort, Chris Booth said the award took him by surprise.

“I came tonight with the thought that I’m going to have an early night,” he said.

“I’m very excited because I told my wife Wendy that I’d be home early but not anymore because the boys and girls at Sea Breeze are probably jumping out of their skins.

“It’s going to be a long night because you don’t just get these things without being dedicated and doing the work and getting up every day and doing your best.”

Last year Sea Breeze Resort also won the 23rd World Travel Award which was held in Danang, Vietnam as the Samoa’s Leading Hotel and Mr. Booth said he can’t be any prouder.

“It makes people understand that the harder you work, the luckier you get,” he said.

 “Some people think this is easy but we have a team of 30 boys and girls at Sea Breeze and every one of them comes to work ready to do their job.

“Most of them are young and never had jobs before and that’s the point I have made in my speech.

“I honestly can’t think of a better industry for boys and girls to get into.”

As for keeping up the standard, Mr. Booth said it’s all about hard work.

“It’s just like you get up every day and do your best,” he said.

“[And] look forward for the next one to do your best because I’m front of the house and I stand at the desk and talk to the guests as they go in and out.

“My greatest reward is the tourists shaking my hand and thanking me and the boys and girls for their very good holiday.

“When my wife and I go away for a holiday this is how we want to feel.

“[And] so from that experience that’s what we want to give to all our guests because they have saved up all year for a holiday.

 “[And] when they are leaving in their cars and crying tears and waving goodbye that is our greatest reward.

“So tonight these two awards are for my staff.”

By Deidre Fanene 09 January 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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