LOCAL hospitality giant, John Toner, has received a major industry award.
General Manager of the Slieve Donard hotel, as well as a director of Hastings hotels, Mr. Toner received the Industry Achievement Award at the recent Licensed and Catering News Awards in the Europa Hotel.
This award is presented to a long-serving individual in recognition of the unique contribution they have made to the industry.
Having worked for Hastings Hotels for 37 years, Mr. Toner was General Manager of the Europa Hotel until he moved to the Slieve Donard in 2005.
Key to turning the Europa into one of the world’s most famous hotels after it was purchased as a bombed out shell in 1993, he managed the hotel during its reconstruction and was at the helm of it when President Clinton stayed in 1995 and again in 1998.
Mr. Toner then moved to the Slieve Donard in 2005 to oversee yet another major refurbishment.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to have received this award and would like to thank my colleagues and my family for their support over the years.
“I have worked in this amazing industry for 45 years, 37 of which have been with Hastings Hotels and I have experienced many highs and lows in these years.
“The most enjoyable part of my journey is seeing where we are now, where the hotel is now and where the hospitality and tourism industry is now. Northern Ireland has transformed over the years and I am very proud of the part that I have had in helping do this.”
Sir William Hastings, chairman of Hastings Hotels, said: “This award is very well deserved and I am thrilled to see John receiving the recognition he deserves for his commitment to Northern Ireland’s tourism and hospitality industry.
“John has given a lifetime of service to the industry and in this time he has become one of the most respected figures in the industry.”
James McGinn, General Manager of the Europa Hotel who worked as a trainee manager with Mr. Toner added: “John is relentless in his pursuit of excellence, always calmly professional, his remarkable dedication and unassailable commitment to his career have marked him out as a giant in the trade. John employed me 17 years ago, and taught me so much. Never in a million years did I think I would follow in his footsteps at the Europa.”