Indian Ocean: U-First Awards Rewarding Excellence in Service

U-First Preliminary Awards 2003 
Rewarding excellence in service 
(Seychelles Nation, Monday 29th September 2003)

More than 90 professionals employed in various sectors of the economy have 
been recognised for the significant contribution they have made to the growth 
of the tourism industry.

The employees received their awards during the annual U-First Preliminary 
Awards, held at the International Conference Centre on Saturday September 27 
in the evening.

Among the award winners, 50 individuals working in various segments of the 
society, such as banks, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, airline and 
district administrations, were rewarded for excellence in service.  Three of 
these employees will be awarded at the Grand Tourism Ball event to be held 
this weekend. 

More than 30 others, the majority employed at Air Seychelles, Berjaya Hotels 
and Resorts, Coral Strand Hotel, Travel Seychelles Services (TSS) and La 
Digue Island Logue, were honoured for 25 years of service in the industry. 
The award winners received their certificates of recognition from the 
Minister for Tourism and Transport, Mrs Simone de Comarmond. 

The winning contestants of the National Tourism Professional Competition, 
held in the categories of pastry cook, hot kitchen cook and bartender earlier 
this year, were also presented with their awards, comprising of trophies and 
cash prizes. 

The first prize in the category of pastry cook went to Tyrie Philoe from 
Lemuria Resort on Praslin, while Pat Monthy from Banyan Tree Resort at 
Intendance received the top prize for hot kitchen cook. Mr Terence Cedras 
from the Amusement Centre clinched the winning prize in the bartender 
category. The winners were presented with their prizes by various sponsors.

Speaking at the opening of the presentation ceremony, Minister de Comarmond 
reminded the different partners involved about the challenges they have yet 
to overcome to further improve the U-First programme for the benefit of the 
country. 

Elaborating on the programme's achievements over the past nine years, the 
minister said she was strongly confident that they would all continue to 
uphold the programme's noble principles. 

In the coming months, she noted, the U-First programme would be further 
strengthened with the launching of an award scheme for the best performing 
U-First Clubs in schools.

For U-First to register greater success, she added, there was a need for 
businesses at all levels to create the appropriate atmosphere to boost their 
employees' morale and encourage them to excel and give good service.

Expressing her appreciation to the award winners, Minister de Comarmond 
assured them that the government will continue to provide all possible 
assistance and support for professional growth and a life-long commitment to 
learning, advancement and opportunity.

In a short presentation to conclude the ceremony, Mr John Stravens, the 
chairman of the U-First Committee, highlighted the importance of putting as 
much faith in the future of the tourism industry as in other sectors, putting 
strong emphasis on the need for more consultation among the different 
partners.

The evening ended with a cocktail reception for the award winners and other 
invitees.

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