Hans WiedemannHans Wiedemann, Managing Director & Delegate of the Board at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, receives the PATWA Award for Lifetime Contribution, at ITB on 7 th March for his personal commitment to the hospitality industry. The lavish prize giving ceremony at ITB, the world’s biggest travel fair, was attended by travel experts, Ministers of Tourism, representatives of the UNWTO and international press. Every year the PATWA (Pacific Area Travel Writers Association) Award is bestowed on individuals and organisations who push tourism in aviation, the hospitality industry and travel companies. Hans Wiedemann is being honoured with the prize in the category, “Hall of Fame – Lifetime Contribution in the hospitality industry” for his achievements in the hotel trade. Hans Wiedemann, who was “Hotelier of the Year 2007” and “Hotelier of the World 2009,” is known worldwide as a top hotel manager and for his great expertise in the hotel sector. Following his graduation from the renowned Hotel School of Management in Lausanne and several positions in Switzerland, he moved to Asia, where he directed a hotel with 600 rooms. His career then led him to Australia, where he stayed for 13 years, led five top hotels and received the “National Award for Excellence in Service.” In 1995 Wiedemann returned to Europe and for nine years took the helm of the “Montreux Palace,” which won renewed fame thanks to this successful hotelier. As managing director of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, renowned for his spirit and optimism, he has led the ‘Grande Dame’ of St. Moritz since 2004. “Service is of paramount importance to us,” says Wiedemann. Seven years ago he introduced butler service to the traditional hotel, which dates back to 1896, and today guests are offered a refreshment bar, movie channels and a ski pass. Hansjürg Badrutt was also convinced by this attitude towards service and he decided to one day make Wiedemann the major shareholder. The hotel director regarded this legacy as his purpose in life and is determined to remain independent. In 2011 Badrutt’s Palace Hotel became “Hotel of the Year” in the Swiss Employer Awards. However, Wiedemann not only supports and motivates his own staff, he also shows his commitment to the hotel industry in his position as International Advisory Board Member at the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, as well as previous managerial positions such as president of Leading Hotels of the World in Switzerland. Furthermore, Wiedemann has been on the managerial council of the Swiss Hotel Archives Foundation, Member of the Board at Swiss Deluxe Hotels and also carried out the role of Swiss National Delegate for EHMA (European Hotel Managers Association). PATWA was established during the PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The aim of the association is to promote professional development of travel writing and travel communication which makes an invaluable contribution to tourism. PATWA supports the fundamental objectives of PATA efforts for tourism and at the same time adheres to the fundamental principles of UNESCO, the United Nations and of the World Tourism Organisation.