Fairmont Southampton Princess general manager Norman Mastalir was last night crowned as Bermuda's Hotelier of the Year.

Mr. Mastalir was presented with the Bermuda Hotelier of the Year award at a dinner at the Sonesta Beach Hotel to mark the end of the Visitor Industry Partnership (VIP) Tourism Appreciation Week.

The award is the premier prize for hoteliers on the Island -- the winner is selected by a poll of fellow managers.

Mr. Mastalir said last night: "I am shocked and flattered.

"I'm not sure how anyone is worthy after two-and-a-half years in Bermuda.

It's been a pleasure and a great honour to come to this wonderful Island.

"I try to make a contribution to rebuilding tourism in this great country.'' Mr. Mastalir joked that when he arrived two years ago and found the trophy in the room of his predecessor -- winner at the time Manfred Timmell -- he almost threw it out.

Billy Griffith, President of the Bermuda Hotels Association, paid tribute to Mr. Mastalir, saying: "His enthusiasm has been illustrated time and time again and he is a visionary in his own right.'' He said that Mr. Mastalir had been instrumental in forging the ground-breaking deal between the BHA and Bermuda Industrial Union.

BHA executive director John Harvey said: "It is really the high point of year for the hotel industry when its leaders are acknowledged.

"As an industry, you are always under the microscope and it is their colleagues who are given the opportunity to select who has performed the best and made the most outstanding contribution to the industry and tourism in general.

"It is a great occasion for the winner, because they shine not only for that day, but for the rest of the year.'' And the VIP Sunshine Award went to immigration officer Debbie Kay Martin for going to great lengths to help visitors.

She was nominated by a visitor who had lost all her luggage after arriving on the Island. When Mrs. Martin overheard the visitor's plight she offered her a dress so that she could attend a function.

Mrs. Martin said after receiving her award: "I could not believe it, I never dreamed I would get it.

"I always like to extend a little love to everyone I meet. It's so important in this society to reach out and touch someone. If I can do that my life is not in vain.'' VIP administrator Stacey Evans gave a presentation on the Tourism Appreciation Week and outlined winners of the Hotel Olympics held last Sunday at Cross Bay.

Ms Evans said that Debbie Kay Martin was "a person of unconditional love and compassion''.

Hotelier of the Year crowned Past winners of the Hotelier of the Year award, which began in 1989, are John Jeffries, former general manager of Elbow Beach, Peter Komposch, former general manager of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Wilhelm Sack, former general manager of Horizons, Shadow Tourism Minister and Reefs' owner David Dodwell, Dennis Tucker, general manager of Sonesta, Roger Borsink, the former general manager of the Marriott Castle Harbour, Muriel Richardson, the manager of the Rosedon, Billy Griffith, the President of the Harmony Club, Manfred Timmell, the former general manager of the Southampton Princess, Barbara and Cyril Cooper, who own the Rosemont, and Hazel Lowe, the owner of Salt Kettle guest house.

Southampton Princess General Manager Norman Mastalir TOURISM TOU