What makes a visit to KL great is its people, especially those dealing with tourists. Once unsung heroes, they are now no longer relegated to the background, thanks to the KL Mayor’s Tourism Awards.

At the inaugural award ceremony, Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said the programme was created to identify, recognise and reward establishments and individuals that had made KL so attractive to visitors.

Identifying what makes a truly outstanding and satisfying tourism experience, he said this included visitors getting a quick lesson about the city – its heritage, must-see places and culinary delights – starting with the taxi ride from the airport; enjoying an excellent and pleasant hotel stay; travelling around the city with ease; and indulging in amazing food at clean eateries.

“We can assure a truly memorable tourism experience if each of us sees ourselves as front liners, to do our part to ensure richness in the knowledge we impart on our city, excellence in the products and services we provide and a continuous awareness of caring for the safety and cleanliness of our city.

“Then every tourist, front liner, establishment and city resident will find living, working, playing and visiting KL a truly memorable experience,” he said.

The biggest honour of the night, The Lifetime Achievement Award, went to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for developing the tourism sector into such a huge contributor to Malaysia’s economy during his years as Prime Minister. He received the trophy, specially designed by Lebanese jewellery house Mouawad in silver and lapis lazuli, with gold and diamond elements, from current Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

Shangri-La – Award for Outstanding Achievement, Hotel (Overall)	Ritz Carlton – Award For Excellence, Hotel (5 Star)	Dorsett Regency – Award For Excellence, Hotel (4 Star)
Hotel Capitol – Award For Excellence, Hotel (3 Star)	International Youth Centre – Award For Excellence, Hotel (Budget)	My Hotel @ Sentral – Award For Excellence, Hotel (Budget)
KL Tower – Award for Outstanding Achievement, Tourist Attraction	Royal Selangor – Award For Excellence, Tourist Attraction	Central Market – Award For Excellence, Tourist Attraction
Lemon Garden Cafe @ Shangri-la – Award For Excellence, Restaurant (Casual Dining)	Seri Angkasa – Award For Excellence, Restaurant (Casual Dining)	Mandarin Grill – Award For Excellence, Restaurant (Fine Dining)
NEO Tamarind – Award For Excellence, Restaurant (Fine Dining)	Pavilion KL – Award for Outstanding Achievement, Shopping Mall	Mid Valley Megamall – Award For Excellence, Shopping Mall
Suria KLCC – Award For Excellence, Shopping Mall	Sungei Wang Plaza – Award For Excellence, Shopping Mall	Hard Rock Cafe – Award for Outstanding Achievement, Nightspot
QBA Latin Bar – Award For Excellence, Nightspot	SkyBar – Award For Excellence, Nightspot	Rootz – Award For Excellence, Nightspot
VisionKL – Award For Excellence, Print Media	Unique Choice – Award for Outstanding Achievement, International Tour Operator	Kuoni, India – Award For Excellence, International Tour Operator
Mehr-e-Khavar, Iran – Award For Excellence, International Tour Operator	GZL, China – Award For Excellence, International Tour Operator	Emirates – Award for Outstanding Achievement, International Airline
Hasan Mokhtar – Recognition Award, Front Liner	Jasper Chow Chen Ann – Recognition Award, Front Liner	Angie Ng Set Fui – Recognition Award, Front Liner