Woman hotel pioneer gets big prize

International Hotel Industry Chooses a CR Pioneer for their Prestigious Young Leader Award.

Amy Carter-James will be presented with the highly coveted International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) Young Leader Award in Berlin on 9th March

Judges include some of the most influential Hospitality CEO’s in the world and for them to select Amy is a very significant step forward to bring Corporate Responsibility (CR) to the heart of the hotel industry’s future.

Amy says, “To receive such a prestigious award is more than just an incredible honour. It signals that the very heart of the hotel industry recognises that Corporate Responsibility is no longer on the periphery but central to the future of the industry. Now that truly is exciting!”

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Amy Carter-James’s industry accomplishments include ownership of an award winning resort, Guludo Beach Lodge (guludo.com) in Mozambique, which has helped lift tens of thousands of people out of poverty and co-founder of a CR hospitality consultancy firm, Thin Cats Thinking (thincats.org), which assists hotels and resorts around the world to work more efficiently with local communities and to maximize their positive impact in a commercially viable way. She most recently has been recognized with a “Global Vision Award” along with multiple other business hospitality awards and individual awards in previous years.

“Amy is an individual who has clearly made a very positive impact in the industry and her passion for responsible tourism is evident in the work she has accomplished,” said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events, co-organisers of IHIF. “She is a wonderful example for other young leaders in hospitality and we’re thrilled to recognize her at this year’s IHIF.”

"She was an outstanding candidate in many ways,” said Lori Raleigh, Executive Director ISHC. “She stood out to us not only due to her tremendous achievements but also for her wonderful personal attributes and commitment to helping make a difference for others through her responsible tourism initiatives as well."

Thin Cats Thinking is a consultancy assisting hotels, resorts and spas to implement intelligent CR strategies, which bring both profound local benefits and stimulate corporate growth. Hotels no longer need to choose between profits and ethics… that includes you too, Fat Cats!  www.thincats.org

The 2011 IHIF Young Leader award will be presented to Carter-James on Wednesday, 9 March 2011 at a plenary session held at the InterContinental Hotel Berlin along with prize amount totaling Euro 1,000.

Past winners include Roderick Micallef, Director of Finance and Acting General Manager, Corinthia Hotel, Lisbon and Leslie McGibbon, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, IHG.

Requirements for the IHIF Young Leader Award include the following: candidate must be under 35 years of age, have worked in a hospitality-related field, have completed a significant project for his or her hotel or organization, be recognized by leaders of his or her own hotel or organization as an emerging leader and be based in a European country.

Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite. Special Offer on Sustainable Tourism Marketing Guide CLICK HERE Special Offer on Sustainable Tourism Ministers Briefing CLICK HERE