It hasn't been an easy four years for Ingrid Jarrett, CEO of the BC Hotel Association.
As soon as she started the job, COVID hit and hotels for the most part were empty.
Recovery from the pandemic has been jittery with travel bans in the Interior due to wildfires, a labour shortage and competition from short-term vacation rentals such as Airbnb.
But, through it all, Jarrett has been an innovative leader, a relentless cheerleader for tourism and a collaborative advocate and problem-solver.
All this was taken into account when the Tourism Industry Association of BC decided to honour Jarrett as 'business woman of the year.'
In the news release announcing Jarrett's win, she was heralded for being the first-ever female CEO of the 750-member BC Hotel Association and being an industry powerhouse who has spent the past three decades directly contributing to the tourism sector across BC and Canada.
Jarrett is based in Kelowna and the BC Hotel Association is based in Vancouver, which means she splits her time between the two cities, serves the whole province and is a wizard at working from wherever she is.
Jarrett is also a management consultant and former general manager of The Royal Resort (beside the Delta Grand hotel in Kelowna) and Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos.
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"None of my achievements would be possible without our amazing team at the BC Hotel Association and our incredible board of directors," said Jarrett.
"I am so grateful to our industry and honoured to be recognized in such a meaningful way.
In all, the Tourism Industry Association of BC handed out 10 awards at is conference earlier this month in Victoria.
The winners are:
- Business woman of the year
Ingrid Jarrett, CEO of the BC Hotel Association
- Employees first
GolfBC
- Community contribution and impact
Prince of Whales Whale Watching (Victoria, Vancouver and Telegraph Cove)
- Innovation
Tourism New Westminister
- Indigenous operator of the year
Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours in Campbell River
- Remarkable experience
Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort in the Great Bear Rainforest
- Sector association excellence
Sport Fishing Institute of BC
- Sustainability excellence
40 Knots Winery in Comox
- Destination marketing organization excellence
Tourism Richmond
- Inclusive and accessible tourism experience
Vancouver Aquarium
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