Galway hoteliers joined over seventy of their colleagues from across the country gathered at the Irish Hotels Federation’s inaugural Quality Employer Awards, which took place last week in Athlone.

The awards recognise hotel teams that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to excellence in people development and HR best practices through their participation in the IHF’s Quality Employer Programme.

Two Galway hotels, the Connacht Hotel in the city and the Ard Rí House Hotel in Tuam, were among recipients awarded Quality Employer Certification, in recognition of their achievements in HR best practices and people management.

The top accolade – the ‘Exceptional People Management Award’ – was jointly awarded to Cork International Hotel and the Metropole Hotel in recognition of their exceptional employment practices, demonstrating exemplary practical and personal care for their employees’ wellbeing and development.

Congratulating the 70 hotels, Chair of the awards judging panel Dr Donagh Davern, Munster Technological University described it as ‘an honour to be among so many inspiring HR leaders to celebrate the very best of people development across our hotels and guesthouse sector’.

“What an amazing profession we have – with over 67,000 livelihoods directly supported by hotels and guesthouses and over 270,000 supported by our wider tourism industry,” he said.

The IHF’s Quality Employer Programme provides member hotels and guesthouses with the tools and resources to enhance their HR practices and excel in people development.

QEP Certification recognises workplaces that demonstrate excellence in their employment practices, promoting their commitment to operating as a Quality Employer.

Pictured: Brenda Loughlin, David O’Connor and Jacqueline O’Dowd from the Connacht Hotel, pictured with IHF Chief Executive, Paul Gallagher at the inaugural Quality Employer Awards where they were awarded Quality Employer Certification in recognition of achievements in HR best practices and people management.