Quality Resort Killarney of Choice Hotels Ireland was, this week, announced as the first hotel in Ireland to receive a National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) Award. The NISO Awards Scheme is now in its 17th year of operation and the Awards are a showcase for health and safety professionals to show their commitment to providing a safe workplace for all persons in their organisation.

Quality Resort Killarney was awarded a Distinction for the level of Health & Safety achieved in the operation of their business. The overall aim of the Awards scheme is to improve safety performance within companies and organisations; and it provides a forum for employees and the public to hear about the positive efforts that have been made by an organisation.

The Quality Resort Killarney represents a modern 3-star premier family resort hotel and is the largest hotel outside Dublin, which, at capacity can accommodate in excess of 1200 guests nightly.   No strangers to awards, the resort are very proud that in 2007 one of their team was awarded overall winner of Choice Hotels Ireland Employee of the Year for her exceptional guest care. In 2007 these and other activities helped the Quality Resort Killarney attain the prestigious Fáilte Ireland Optimus Service Excellence Award.

On winning this prestigious safety award, Patrick Dillon, Managing Director of the Quality Resort Killarney said: “We are very proud of all the awards we has received, but the NISO Award  is extra special as we are the first hotel to receive this award.  Our motto is “big on the little things” ensuring that all our guests have an enjoyable holiday in every way, this includes safety and the NISO Award proves this.”

Fortunate to have a very loyal experienced team, the Quality Resort’s staff turnover has decreased from 48% in 2005 to just 8.9% in 2007. They involve staff from all levels in service improvement, cost control, safety procedures and green committees and this has helped retain key people while improving service and profitability.

Another key element to the success in the award scheme is that over 85% of staff has completed formal training courses. The Resort takes the duty of care to their guests very seriously and during 2007 they purchased their own AED machines, and to date they have trained over 30 members of their team in its use.

Guest of honour at the NISO Awards which was held on Monday 17th November was TD Johnny Brady, and NISO president, Pauric Corrigan who congratulated all award winners “…for their efforts in placing health and safety to the forefront of their respective businesses.”