Heinz Simonitsch, Caribbean hotelier known for defining luxury and hospitality and environmental sustainability was honored with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Icon of Hospitality Award.
Simonitsch has earlier served Jamaica’s famed Half Moon resort in Montego Bay for serving relentlessly with innovation in the region’s hospitality industry. He is widely known for initiating the pairing of luxury resorts with ecological sustainability and community benefit approaches.
Frank Comito, Director General of CHTA stated that Simontsch’s countless contribution and achievements have inspired CHTA’s leadership to come up with CHTA Icon of Hospitality Award and bestowing the award to him is completely appropriate.
Simonitsch has been a pioneer in luxury tourism, he has set a new standard and shaped the Caribbean hospitality. His committed professionalism in development of his employees, the health and welfare surrounding its community has elevated the local position of tourism in the region.
The tital Icon of Hospitality celebrates the careers and lives of extraordinary leaders whose work in the Caribbean hospitality made a mark on CHTA and the region.
Karolin Troubetzkoy, CHTA’s President said that this recognition will help in honoring legendary professionals who have achieved phenomenal business success but also molded the industry towards excellence.
He moved to Jamaica in 1963, where he expanded The Half Moon Club acting towards community benefit by combining luxury with environment sustainability.
Prior to this he served in the Caribbean tourism industry and earned many distinction in 1953 as the dining room captain at the Elbow Beach Surf Club in Bermuda.
Simonitisch’s communication acumen bagged him top awards by the Caribbean Media Exchange for Sustainable Tourism (Cmex).
Additionally he also worked in developing programs in assisting the people of Jamaica. He is also the founder of the Heinz Simonitsch School in Montego Bay.
