Saffire Freycinet was voted Best Deluxe Accommodation and the Overall Hotel of the Year – Accommodation Division title went to MACq01. Saffire has built an outstanding reputation as one of the country’s must visit premium destinations, something locals took advantage of during the Covid-19 pandemic when tourists were shut out of the island. “The last 12 months I think for the whole industry has been really tough. We’ve faced battles the whole way through,” Saffire general manager Ross Boobyer says. “But we’ve had great local support. We’ve probably seen more Tasmanians through our doors than we ever had before which is great, and lots of interstate interest as well. It’s been a challenging 12 months, but we’ve got an amazing team up there and this award really is for them. “There’s 86 [staff] so the hard work, the dedication they put in every single day to delivering the best hospitality in this state, is a credit to them and this award is just rewards for their achievements.” General manager of Federal Group Luxury Collection Matt Casey also paid tribute to his staff for helping deliver MACq01 national recognition. “The awards are really for the staff. Your assets are just buildings, hospitality is all about interactions with people, trying to create beautiful memories for people,” Casey says. “It is a higher purpose and for that you need really great people to be able to deliver that. “For us, we’re just proud to have really beautiful people. That’s I guess where the pride lies and for us that’s what creates the enthusiasm to keep going and get up every day, knowing that so many people are putting in and working so hard.” Tasmania had 22 finalists in total at the AHA awards, recognition of the quality of offerings right across the state. And arguably themost important titlewas Cataract on Paterson’s, given the heightened importance on training and development at a time when the industry is screaming for more skilled workers. “I’m so proud of it because it’s something that I am so passionate about. I’m an accidental restaurateur, I had no hospitality experience,” owner Karen Burbury says.
“We’ve probably seen more Tasmanians through our doors than we ever had before which is great… it’s been a challenging 12 months, but we’ve got an amazing team up there and this award really is for them.”” – Ross Boobyer
Hospitality Review: February 2022 17
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