HMAA AWARDS ANNOUNCED IN MELBOURNE

The Hotel Motel & Accommodation Association (HMAA) Victoria Awards for Excellence, with nearly 20 venues and industry personalities taking out the top honours.

More than 200 prominent figures in the Australian tourism and hospitality industry were present - including The Hon Tim Holding MP, Victoria's Minister for Tourism and Major Events - for the eighth annual awards night, held at the Medallion Club at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.

"The Awards recognise the outstanding contribution made to industry by businesses and individuals who work so hard to make our accommodation sector what it is today," says HMAA Victoria Chair, Ms Carol Douglas.

"Participating in the Awards is a challenging activity requiring time effort and courage. It takes a brave operator to place their business on show, to be assessed and benchmarked against their peers. This years participants have clearly demonstrated their properties are in the top of their category in Victoria

TONIGHT'S HMAA/AAA AWARD WINNERS ARE:

Excellence in Tourist & Caravan Park Accommodation	Apollo Gardens Tourist Park & Accommodation Village
Excellence in Backpacker Accommodation	Melbourne Metro YHA
Excellence in Hosted Accommodation	Monreale Estate
Excellence in Standard Accommodation	Hotel Unilodge on Flinders
Excellence in Deluxe Accommodation	Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
Excellence in Luxury Accommodation	Quay West Suites Melbourne
Excellence in Boutique Accommodation	Glen Isla House
Excellence in New Tourism Accommodation	Mantra Deep Blue Warrnambool
Excellence in Education & Training	Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
Excellence in Serviced Accommodation	Alto Hotel on Bourke
Excellence in Sustainability	Jasper Hotel
Outstanding Contribution to Front of House	Tereza Cohen - Quest Beaumont
Outstanding Contribution to Sales & Marketing	Anne Marie Caruso - Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Outstanding Contribution to Back of House	Karyn Burkett - Best Western Crystal Inn
Outstanding Contribution to the industry by a newcomer	Joint Winners - Jaime Kindred - Comfort Inn & Suites Blazing Stump & Kassey Irving - Quest Sale
Outstanding Contribution by a Manager	Steve Finlayson - Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual	Tony Sheer - Australian Pacific Inns
Minister's Award	Cambrai Hostel
HMAA + AAAT Most Improved - Hotel	Jasper
HMAA + AAAT Most Improved - Motel	Comfort Inn Deakin Palms
HMAA + AAAT Most Improved - B&B	65 Main
HMAA + AAAT Most Improved - Victoria	Comfort Inn Deakin Palms

* Several finalists and commendations were also awarded in various categories.

"For those of us at the coal face, now is the time to reinvest in our industry. Whether it is in training your staff or upgrading your facilities, constant reinvestment is necessary to maintain Victoria's leading position in the accommodation industry.

"HMAA have also committed to improving the environment and are proud of the work we have completed in 2007 in association with the City of Melbourne and Sustainability Victoria. Also, through VECCI's joint program with the EPA, `Grow Me the Money', we have helped our members cut energy and water inputs and waste outputs.

"On behalf of the HMAA Board, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate not only this year's winners and finalists but all of our entrants who have worked hard to nominate their businesses", says Ms Douglas.