Tom Meyer of InterContinental Hotels Group properties Dubai Festival City awarded 'General Manager of the Year'

Even though the InterContinental Dubai Festival City has only been open since November 2007, Tom's leadership and dedication to the project helped him to secure the title, a recognition his colleagues feel is well deserved.

The awards were presented by IHG to those hotels and individuals in each region who have made outstanding contributions to the success of the company in 2007. Criteria for the 'General Manager of the Year' award focused on the RevPar of the manager's hotel/s, its HR initiatives, staff turnover, community involvement and key impacts which were personally demonstrated by the individual.

The launch of the three properties at Dubai Festival City, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and InterContinental Residence Suites, has been the largest project in the history of the company, with more than 1,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,200 staff recruited. The hotels have supported many local charities, and accomplished internal awards for their achievements, including the hiring of over 50 nationalities as part of Tom's vision to have a truly diverse workforce. Tom's personal approach with all colleagues has made him extremely popular with his team, and gone a long way to securing him his new and honoured title.

Tom accepted his award on behalf of the efforts of all colleagues at IHG DFC, 'It is an honour to be personally recognised for my contributions to this awe-inspiring project, which I am thankful to be a part of. It is my pleasure to lead such a team of extremely talented individuals, and together I have no doubt we will only go on to achieve further successes and new heights of excellence. This just goes to show what a team of extremely dedicated individuals can achieve!'