Fairmont Southampton Princess manager Allan Trew has won the top prize in this year's Belco Visitor Industry Partnership excellence awards.

Mr. Trew was given a $20,000 Bank of Butterfield Money Market Fund award for picking up the Minister of Tourism's `Best of Best' award at the ceremony on Saturday at the Southampton Princess.

Seventeen people were honoured in this year's awards, which are given to hospitality staff nominated by visitors and colleagues for going beyond the call of duty.

When he was presented with his prize, Mr. Trew said: "I've enjoyed my years in the hotel industry and even though its 24 years, I feel like I started here yesterday and I still very much enjoy it.

"Anyone coming into this industry, it is very much a wonderful industry. When we stop having fun in this industry it's time to quit, and I'm still having fun."

Mr. Trew, who is renowned for his pleasant, helpful personality, has spent 22 years with Princess Hotels.

The highlight of the night came when Dennie O'Connor of the Southampton Princess gave a free seven day cruise to the Caribbean to his colleague Steve Darrell.

Mr. O'Connor, who won the prize for being top convention, sales and marketing employee, said he wanted Mr. Darrell to take the holiday for teaching him everything he knew.

One of the sponsors, US Airways, was so moved by his gesture, that it gave Mr. O'Connor another free trip.

Tourism Minister David Allen said: "I am so moved by Dennie O'Connor's generosity. He showed such grace in honouring one of his mentors that Dennie is going to get his trip."

The front of the house award for top bell/doorman went to Barakel "Beau" Robinson of the Rosedon, with Andre Burnell Nisbett of the Hamilton Princess and George Sinclair Jones of Elbow Beach also nominated.

Claire Spencer of St. Peter's Church, St. George's, won the activities and attractions award, with Una McKittrick of the St. George's Visitors Service Bureau, and Lloyd Alfred Webbe of Unique Safaris runners-up.

The best retail store employee was won by Carol Tyrell of Phoenix Stores. The other nominees were Leonette Sharon Carmichael of Somerset Pharmacy and James Wilson of Wheels Too, Flatts.

Taxi driver Judy Hunt scooped the transportation award, beating fellow driver Garry Bailey and Southampton Princess bus driver Sonja Gordon.

The best waiter, hostess or wine steward award was taken by Paolo Pollio of Little Venice, who saw off the challenge of Barakel Robinson of Rosedon and Mary Brooks of The Reefs.

Debbie L Forde of the Hamilton Princess won the front of the house prize for best front desk/telephone operator. The other nominees were Lynne Raynor of Sandpiper Guest Apartments and Cherie Rabain of La Trattoria.

The heart of the house award went to Gwendolyn Trott of the Frog and Onion, with Vincent Wheatley of Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, and Colin McLean Simmons of the Hamilton Princess runners-up.

Antonio Dill of Extasy was named best performing artist ahead of fellow nominees Preston Swan of Prestige and Ted Ming of the Bermuda Strollers.

Allan Trew won the general administration award. Karen Cooper Olson of the Rosemont and Kellianne M. Gibbons of the Hamilton Princess were also shortlisted.

Augusto E. Silva of the Hamilton Princess picked up the best barman title, with Bobby Todd of the Harmony Club and Phillip Galloway of the Loyalty Inn also nominated.

The best concierge/tour desk prize was taken by Vida Smith of the Sonesta Beach Hotel. Rochelle V.I. DeRoza of Elbow Beach and Leslie Swan, a Royal Caribbean intern made the shortlist.

Air Canada employee Lucy Monkman was named airline employee of the year, beating Air Canada colleague Veronica De Silva and Herbie Siggins of Continental Airlines.

Antoine Joseph Jones of Rosedon was named best housekeeper, with Mabel B. Scott of the Southampton Princess and Nora Robinson of Pink Beach also nominated.

Dennie O'Connor won the convention, sales and marketing award, ahead of his colleague Steve Darrell and Patti Pitt of the Department of Tourism's New York office.

The hospitality support services title was taken by Debbie Kay Martin of the Department of Immigration, who beat off the challenge from June C. Durham of Bermuda Gas and Gary E. J. Renaud of the Airport Fire Department.

Serge Bottelli of La Coquille won the best chef title, with Manfred Seibert of the Harmony Club and Neville King of Elbow Beach also making the shortlist.

And the award for young person with the most promise went to Imani Myers, a student at the Rosemont. The other nominees were Sheldon C. Robinson of the Southampton Princess, and Neitra Dill of the Hamilton Princess.