INTERNATIONAL. The Moodie Davitt Report is back with the fourth year of our popular column dedicated to recognising people in our industry – frontline, back office, logistics, management and more – for their commitment, kindness and achievements.
The Travel Retail and F&B Superstars column is a key component in the lead up to this year’s Travel Retail Superstars Awards and FAB Superstars Awards.
Nominations for the FAB Superstars Awards are now open – read more details here. We will soon be announcing the opening of nominations for the Travel Retail Superstars Awards.
See the 2023 winners of these two awards programmes in the links at the foot of this column.
If you’d like to nominate a team member, or team, for inclusion in this year’s Superstars column, please email Mark Lane at [email protected] or Martin Moodie at [email protected].
20 February
HMSHost team, New York LaGuardia Airport
Jean Urbina, HMSHost Director of Operations for New York LaGuardia Airport, has taken to LinkedIn to share glowing praise for several HMSHost teams at the travel hub.
Jean said: “Our LGA team’s success has only been possible as a result of our managers working shoulder to shoulder with our crew and creating the culture where we work together, we win together.
“There are always things to improve and we take these opportunities as a team challenge. The most important thing is to recognise our team members that make the difference day in and day out to elevate the guest experience.
“In this note I want to deliver a shout out to some of our LGA stars – Zuhey and Wasi at Viaggio, Fahmida at La Chula and Dominica and Brittany at Shake Shack. We are fortunate to have you in our team and very honoured to work with you all. Thank you for being awesome!”
19 February
Elizabeth Parker, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, SSP America
SSP America Senior Vice President of Development and Pursuit of New Airports Scott Welding has expressed his delight for the service he received from Elizabeth Parker at the travel restaurateur’s Beecher’s Handmade Cheese concession at Salt Lake City International Airport.
Scott was connecting through the airport recently on a flight that was delayed. He recalled: “In a concourse full of bummed out people, Elizabeth Parker at our Beecher’s Handmade Cheese was all smiles, super helpful and making darn good sandwiches.
“What a ray of sunshine this wonderful human being is to me, and everyone who steps foot in her restaurant. Thank you for being the best part of my journey Elizabeth.”
SSP America CEO Michael Svagdis said in a comment on LinkedIn: “Thank you Elizabeth for providing our customers with a great experience.”
Fatin Nur Zianna, Lotte Duty Free Singapore Retail Associate, Changi Airport
A nice story here from Singapore Changi Airport, where Lotte Duty Free Retail Associate Fatin Nur Zianna has been recognised at Changi Airport Group’s Annual Airport Celebration 2024. She received the Outstanding Service Staff Silver Award for a kind act to help a passenger.
Fatin (posing below right with her award) encountered a 68-year-old passenger who missed her connecting flight and was stranded in transit. Despite it being the end of her shift and having to miss her transport home, Fatin chose to stay on to assist the passenger. She used her credit card to rebook the flight and even treated the passenger to a meal.
Fatin made sure all pre-flight procedures were taken care of, ensuring the stranded passenger could board her flight home safely.
A post from Lotte Duty Free Singapore on LinkedIn said: “Kudos to Fatin and we are all very proud of you!”
16 February
Deborah Mulas, JJ Ruddle’s Bar & Restaurant Pizza Chef, Shannon Airport
The Shannon Airport Group, owner and operator of Ireland’s Shannon Airport, has given a shout out to one of the travel hub’s star food & beverage performers.
It has revealed that Deborah Mulas, Pizza Chef at the airport’s JJ Ruddle’s Bar & Restaurant, will travel to Italy this weekend to represent Ireland in the World Pizza Championship.
Deborah, a native of Italy now living in Limerick, will compete with over 500 pizza chefs in Rimini.
Shannon Airport Director Niall Kearns offered his best wishes for the competition on LinkedIn: “Best of luck Deborah – fantastic pizzas at JJ Ruddles in Shannon Airport!”
13 February
Elena Paraskeva, Cyprus Duty Free
ARI-owned Cyprus Duty Free has highlighted the work of its “outstanding” team member Elena Paraskeva, who the retailer said “has been positively contributing to our business for over 20 years”.
Last year, Elena (pictured below) was voted as Cyprus Duty Free Star of the Month, then Star of the Quarter and finally the retailer’s Star of the Year 2023. She will travel to Ireland in March to meet other stars from the ARI estate and attend the ARI Global Star Awards Ceremony in Dublin.
Cyprus Duty Free said: “Thank you Elena for everything you do on a daily basis to ensure our customers have an outstanding shopping experience. Your efforts and positivity are very much appreciated, and as you travel to Dublin next month please know the whole Cyprus team is with you in spirit proudly cheering for you.
“Good luck to all the ARI stars. We wish you all a wonderful time in Dublin.”
ARI Retail & Marketing Manager Toni McDonald said in a post on LinkedIn: “So very happy for Elena, outstanding achievement and very well deserved. Truly a bright, shining star.”
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Meet the winners of the 2023 Travel Retail Superstars Awards (see video above) and 2023 FAB Superstars Awards (click image below for the story).
Read the Travel Retail and F&B Superstars Column 2023 here.
Read the Travel Retail and F&B Superstars Column 2022 here.
Read the Travel Retail and F&B Superstars Column 2021 here.
