THE general manager of Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges, Enniskillen, David Morrison has been named the Hotelier of the Year by the Institute of Hospitality (IOH) NI.
The professional membership body for individual managers and aspiring managers who work and study in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries, revealed the winners of the 23rd Institute of Hospitality Awards For Professionalism at a glittering event recently held at Titanic Belfast.
The highly coveted awards recognise talented individuals who have contributed to their business and the industry over the past year. 
For 2018 there were 21 categories with four new categories including; Duty Manager of the Year, General Manager of the Future, Human Resource Manager of the Year and The Unsung Hero.
This year saw a record number of entries with the independent judges citing 2018 as being extremely competitive with a very high standard of professionalism demonstrated by candidates.
During the event, Mr. Morrison was presented with his award, sponsored by MKB Law, for Hotelier of the Year.
Chair of the Institute of Hospitality (NI branch), Marianne Hood commented: “We are delighted to reveal the 23rd Institute of Hospitality Awards for Professionalism 2018 winners. Over the years the awards have increasingly become an important event for individual industry professionals in Northern Ireland. Not only do they recognise talented individuals, who have contributed so much to their business and the industry over the past year, but demonstrate a clear commitment to developing and maintaining professionalism within this fantastic sector. We are indebted to a range of long-term, credible sponsors and partners and we thank them for their continued support without which the awards could not happen. We are also indebted to our dedicated voluntary committee who are committed to supporting our industry.”
Peter Ducker, Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality, added: “The Institute of Hospitality NI committee has constantly raised the profile of the awards, making them more popular and prestigious than ever. The committed team provides an excellent awards process and event which promotes professionalism and encourages continued professional development within the industry. We congratulate the winners and thank them for helping to raise the standards of professionalism within hospitality.”