VANCOUVER — Deb Elless — a senior Reservations agent at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for 22 years — has been named Tourism Employee of the Year. The award was announced at the 2017 Canadian Tourism Awards presented by the Travel Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in Gatineau, Quebec on November 28.
This prestigious award was designed to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada’s tourism industry and to recognize those people who consistently provide superior tourism experiences across the country.
“This speaks to the service excellence that Deb consistently provides to our guests and fellow colleagues every day she comes to work and we are thrilled that she has been recognized as the best in Canada,” says Michael Pye, general manager of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. “She has developed many best practices and is always the first to volunteer to assist — whether it’s for a work-related event or community outreach. Her vision and attention to detail make her an asset to the hotel, our region and our company.”
In addition to her role in the reservations department, Elless is committee chair for Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s annual United Way Campaign, VP of the local union that represents hotel employees and mentor to the Reservations team where she has connected with hundreds of thousands of guests during her tenure.
“Her efforts have been acknowledged in the many glowing notes of appreciation we receive from across the country and around the world. In her role, she is often the first point of contact for guests, but is quick to slip on another hat and becomes a tourism ambassador to share her passion and knowledge of Vancouver, insider secrets and ‘must-do’s,’” says, Pye.
