The return of the HAPA® Awards Malaysia Series for 2023-2024 was graced by Yang Berhormat Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing, at the gala dinner in One World Hotel. For the first time, the awards were co-organized by HAPA® Group and its event partner Taylor’s University.
The HAPA® Awards, an international awards programme for the region’s hospitality and tourist sector dubbed as the “Oscars of Hospitality,” was established in 2002 with the goal of raising the bar for excellence and propelling the hospitality sector to new heights. The Hospitality & Tourism and F&B & Culinary Awards are the two primary award categories, and their goal is to acknowledge and honour exceptional businesses and individuals who have demonstrated great drive and perseverance, a desire for excellence, and a commitment to the sector.
Some of the prominent awards for this series are Best Service Excellence Establishments, Best Hotels & Resorts, Best Tourism Destinations & Tourist Attractions, Best Restaurants, Best Chefs, Best Hospitality & Tourism Personalities and Best F&B Entrepreneurs.
The judging process was carried out using the Mystery Judge audit system, in which the judging panel, which consists of business owners, corporate individuals, and industry and culinary experts, conducts covert onsite inspections as well as one-on-one interviews and food tasting sessions with nominated personalities. They then present their findings and evaluation using a Score Card approach, which provides specific insights into the nominees’ strengths and identifies any gaps and areas for progress.
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“In the last 20 years, the HAPA® Awards has honoured extraordinary individuals and establishments in Malaysia and across the region whose passion and relentless pursuit of excellence has carved a timeless legacy within the hospitality domain. Over the passage of time, our Awards have come to be referred to as the “Oscars of Hospitality“, casting a radiant glow that illuminates the path to greatness travelled by the awards recipients. The HAPA® Awards stand as a masterpiece and poised to herald a new era of brilliance within the expansive realm of Asian hospitality.”
Jennifer Ong, founder of HAPA® Group and HAPA® Awards Chief Judge
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Jennifer stressed that the HAPA® Awards are about more than just rewarding exceptional institutions and unsung industry heroes; the Awards also pushes the boundaries of excellence of the hospitality and tourism industry.
After officially establishing their collaboration in September 2022 at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus, HAPA® and Taylor’s University have since partnered to grow the HAPA® Awards Series nationwide as well as regionally, focusing on the hospitality, F&B, culinary, and tourism industries. With the fusion of both organisations’ trusted and well-known brands, the expansion of human talent, the emergence of an exciting networking platform between real industry experiences, and the creation of powerful economic drivers through the creation of high-value jobs and business opportunities, the collaboration acts as a catalyst for greater growth.
Due to the Covid-19 global lockdowns and border closures, there were fewer domestic and international tourists, causing the hospitality sector to suffer losses of nearly RM11.3 billion during the height of the epidemic. According to research from the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, Southeast Asia’s tourism industry will resume its pre-pandemic levels by 2024 after continuing to recover in 2023. Closer to home, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim declared 2025 to be the “Visit Malaysia Year,” with an estimated 23.5 million foreign visitors expected to arrive and generate RM76.8 billion in revenue.
“From the digitalisation and innovation of products and services to skilled human resources and professional certifications and awards from reputable hospitality awards programmes – hospitality and tourism businesses need all the help they can get to recover after the pandemic. That is why, Taylor’s wanted to play our part in the industry’s recovery and regrowth by working with our partners at HAPA® to recognise and present awards to organisations and individuals in hospitality, tourism, and culinary sectors who have been powering through all the challenges thrown in their direction over the past three years.”
Professor Dr Pradeep Nair, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of Taylor’s University
According to Pradeep, the university is also undertaking other initiatives to positively impact the hospitality and tourism sectors in Malaysia. For instance, it has launched the Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab, which aims to promote ethical and inclusive economic growth and community development in the tourism and hospitality sectors through purpose-driven learning, teaching, and research initiatives.
“The panel of judges this year was faced with a great challenge in narrowing down the many quality submissions, but we believe the Award Recipients today reflect the very best in hospitality industry standards. It is our hope that the HAPA® Awards will continue to be a useful tool for local and foreign travellers to plan the most enjoyable getaway or special dining experience. Our warm congratulations go out to all nominees and winner.”
Professor Dr Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management at Taylor’s University and co-chair of HAPA® Awards judging committee
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For more information, head over to http://www.hapa.asia
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Photo credits: HAPA and author’s own