Kowloon Shangri-La received the Tourism Services Grand Award at the 2003 Hong Kong Awards for Services gala dinner
last night (5 January 2004), held at the Convention Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The delighted hotel General Manager Mr Thierry Douin, was presented the prestigious trophy by the Hon. Henry Tang Ying-yen, GBS, JP, the Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government.

The Hong Kong Awards for Services scheme is regarded as the "Oscars" of Hong Kong's service industries, enhancing the city's competitiveness in the region's services sector. A total of five grand awards for Innovation, Productivity, Customer Service, Tourism Services and Export Marketing was presented under the Awards scheme, each presented by the respective member of the Organising Committee, namely: the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; the Hong Kong Productivity Council; the Hong Kong Retail Management Association; the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The honour that Kowloon Shangri-La was accorded is The Hong Kong Award for Services: Tourism Services Grand Award, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Mr Douin commented: "We are extremely happy to have won the Tourism Services Grand Award, especially as it follows on the heels of our recent US$25 million renovation programme, strengthening our repositioning strategy. It is a great endorsement of our new and revitalised services and facilities."

Boasting an impressive history of long-serving staff - over 50% of work force has been with the hotel for at least 10 years and one-seventh of staff, (100 employees) with the hotel for a minimum of 20 years - Kowloon Shangri-La is renowned for its friendly service. "The Kowloon Shangri-La has maintained a high standard of service since it opened in 1981, earning a reputation for quality, not only for itself but for Hong Kong. The repeat guest rate of 57% testifies to its ability to please customers," commented by the Central Judging Panel, "We're impressed by the hotel's initiative in re-imaging itself.. Also impressive is the hotel's commitment to training development that ensures staff have mutual respect for each other's area of competency. The Shangri-La Care programme and other initiatives have established a high standard of service provision.

In addition, the Kowloon Shangri-La is to be commended for its acuity in devising unique marketing plans to serve different customers."

Within the last two months, the hotel has been the recipient of a few international recognitions, including the recent 5-Star Diamond Award 2004 from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, being on the Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List for 10 consecutive years and in a high position of Travel & Leisure's 500 List.