By Monique Hepburn, Staff Reporter
Horace Peterkin - Patrick Campbell/Freelance Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
HORACE PETERKIN, general manager of Sandals Montego Bay and the current St. James 'Boss of the Year', was awarded the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association's (JHTA's) 'Hotelier of the Year' award in Ocho Rios on Sunday.
For Peterkin, this year's recognition registers his second title since his first in 1998. He has outdone several contenders in areas of civic and community involvement, hotel management and involvement in the JHTA, and was presented with the award at the JHTA's Annual General Meeting.
"It is a nice feeling to be acknowledged by your peers," Peterkin said in a Wednesday Business interview yesterday. "People in the business know the challenges."
In accepting the award, Peterkin thanked Sandals' chairman, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, for supporting the community development programmes in which the Sandals Montego Bay is engaged.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
"I like going the extra mile, right now my latest nickname at the hotel is superman," Peterkin said. "I have a passion for the business and I feel that there are two kinds of people, those who are in hospitality, and those who are not." He also said Jamaica is in a very good position to do well in the industry, as there are efforts being made to improve and create new services and attractions.
Peterkin is first vice-president of the JHTA, and is chairman of its Product and Environment Committee. He is married to Dominique and has two daughters, Paige and Bianca.
