The Hotelier Awards, the annual awards recognising individuals’ professional excellence across the hospitality sector in Asia, have today announced the 2017 finalists.

Now in their fourth year, The Hotelier Awards have become a benchmark for professional excellence in Asia, recognising and honouring individuals from over 70 hotel brands across Greater China, ASEAN, and for the first time this year, North Asia.

This year’s awards will also mark the launch of the Rising Star Award, a new category that reflects the awards’ mission to inspire younger generations to pursue a career in hospitality. In partnership with the top 10 most prestigious universities offering hotel management courses as well as hospitality management schools across Asia, the awards have attracted nominations from some of the region’s most promising and ambitious young talents.

Five finalists have now been selected for each of the 14 award categories this year, with the winners to be announced on the 14th December. Finalists were carefully selected by accomplished experts from the hospitality industry, who flew in from around the world to gather in Shanghai and begin the selection process. The judging panel this year includes Yona He, the Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Forbes Travel Guide, Alison Gilmore, Director of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), Zita Ong, Board member of Edipresse Media Asia, Sacha Stocklin, Campus Director, Les Roches Jinjiang, Shanghai, Simon Kahn, CMO, Asia Pacific, Google, and Dai Bin, President of China Tourism Academy & Director of National Tourism Data Center.

Yona He, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Forbes Travel Guide, said, “I am honoured to be part of the Judging Panel for the fourth year running. The process has been rigorous yet hugely rewarding. Each year an overwhelming number of talented and passionate hoteliers from across Asia are nominated, making our role to select the best of the best truly difficult. The finalists come from all walks of life, each with a common goal: to deliver extraordinary experiences to their guests and inspire colleagues. They all deserve immense respect and the recognition for their exceptional efforts.”

All winners will be announced and celebrated at the awards ceremony on December 14, 2017, at Studio City Macau.