The glittering 4th Asian Housekeeping Awards (AHA 2024) held at Lucknow celebrated excellence in housekeeping across Asia. Presented by the Asian Housekeeping Association and Clean India Journal, these prestigious awards highlighted the exceptional achievements of housekeepers and assistant housekeepers. The rigorous selection process featured top nominees advancing to the International Housekeepers’ Summit, culminating in the Grand Awards Night on August 29th. Categories included Best Housekeeper for Asia and Best Assistant Housekeeper for Asia.
The real-world knowledge, experience sharing, industry insights, improved problem-solving and stories of personal growth that came forth in the interactions with the nominees were intense. This thought was jointly shared by Neeraj Sharma and Sumeet Goyal, Hospitality Experts and jury members of the event. We thank both of them for their valuable contribution to select the winners for the prestigious Asian Housekeeping Awards 2024.
Stellar nominations poured in from Sri Lanka, Maldives, UAE, Qatar, Bangladesh and the host country- India. These included the best candidates from the housekeeping industry from a large chain of hotels and resorts like the Park- Hyatt, Radisson, ITC, Taj and Sheraton amongst others. The AHA 2024 was conducted to recognize the value of housekeeping and the impact it has on our lives. The awards honour housekeepers for their hard work and dedication. The event was expertly guided by the mistress of ceremonies- Akshi Singh, President, Kuwait Housekeepers Hub & Cluster Director of Housekeeping, IHG Hotels, Kuwait and master of ceremonies Abdulla Rasheed, Executive Housekeeper, Conrad, Maldives.
The common perception is that a Housekeeping professional is an unsung hero, working behind the scenes to create a clean, comfortable, and welcoming environment. However, the nominees clearly believed and displayed that Housekeeping is not just about cleaning; it’s an art form that requires attention to detail, precision, and care. It’s about creating a sense of warmth and belonging, making spaces feel like home.
An innovative display of housekeeping ethics was from a young colleague from Sri Lanka, where she under the guidance of her General Manager, trained the wives of the local fisherman community to do Batik on fabric and then gave the hotel’s discarded sheets for them to work on. This was later fashioned into bags and gifted to guests as a memento of the art and culture of the community. This was a beautifully executed idea that is a win-win for all stakeholders!Needless to say the nominees have all been performing the tasks they are responsible for:
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene
• Managing a team of housekeeping staff
• Implementing sustainability initiatives and cost-saving measures
• Ensuring compliance with safety protocols and regulations
The various critical factors that made the nominees stand out were:
• Managing a diverse team with varying skill levels
• Adapting to changing situations and priorities
• Maintaining a clean and safe environment amidst high occupancy
• Balancing quality and efficiency
• Dealing with difficult guests and situations
• Staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices
A few pointers that Housekeepers can keep in mind include areas which are traditionally considered as ‘out of scope’ achievements such as:
• Community Engagement
• Environmental Conservation
• Education and Skills Development
• Health and Wellness
• Cultural Heritage Preservation
• Accessibility and Inclusion
• Animal Welfare
• Collaboration with Local Authorities
AHA 2024 involved “Choosing the best among equals” and the nominees amply demonstrated their achievements and contributions to secure the awards as they continue to further their path in the hospitality segment.