Although relatively new to the Middle East, Southern Sun have truly made their mark on the hotel industry in the region, with four of their staff members being named as finalists at last week’s prestigious Middle East Hotelier Awards 2008. This is the second consecutive year that Southern Sun have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the industry, after the group’s Executive Chef, Bernd Geiger, scooped up last year’s Chef of the Year award and Ulricke Hock was named as a finalist in the Housekeeper of the Year category.
With the Middle East boasting some of the most glamorous hotels in the world, staff members are called upon to go the extra mile to stand out from their competitors. And four such individuals from Southern Sun’s dedicated team were recognised at the 2008 Hotelier awards for doing just that.
The judges were particularly impressed with CD Kotze who outshone his rivals in his hotly-contested category to be named as Food and Beverage Manager of the Year. Denver Cramer and Steven Mburu were named as finalists in the Concierge and Stewarding Person of the Year categories respectively. And Mohammad Athman, who has warmed the hearts of many visitors to the city with his legendary smile while working as doorman at Al Manzil Hotel, was singled out as an outstanding entrant in the category that organisers described as the “grand prize” – the Unsung Hero of the Year award.