For the second time this year, Victoria hoteliers Kevin Walker and Earl Wilde will share a podium and accept awards — but when the pair do it in December, it will be on a much larger stage.
The two men, who combine to account for 75 years of experience in the hospitality industry, will be inducted into the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s hall of fame Dec. 4 at a gala luncheon during the 2013 Tourism Congress in Ottawa.
“This is very satisfying,” said Walker, the 51-year-old owner of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. “I’m proud of Earl as well. These awards are kind of hitting us like a tag team. Together it’s nice to know we made a bit of a difference in the bigger picture of our industry.”
Both men were honoured earlier this year by Tourism Victoria.
Walker was given the destination marketing organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award, while Wilde, general manager of the Victoria Regent Hotel, was presented with the Miracle Award.
Both men said the hall of fame recognizes their commitment to the industry, above and beyond the work they do for their respective properties.
“It’s recognition for serving on boards and so on for a very long time. This business has been my life,” said Wilde, noting his award is a bit of validation for industry workers who sometimes toil in the shadows of the big players. “It means a lot to me because I run a 45-room hotel and it’s good that the little guy gets recognized once in a while.”
Wilde, 61, said in his 40-plus years in the industry, 23 of those at the Regent, his greatest moments have been those that have had an impact on people. “Changing paths, that’s important to me and getting to work and advise young people and in some cases altering the course they might have taken is what I’m proud of,” he said.
For Walker, who re-opened his Oak Bay Beach Hotel after a six-year, $52-million rebuild last year, the award is special as it’s a nod from his peers.
“You don’t do this for the accolades, but it does feel good when they reach out and say that did make a difference,” he said. “And as we watch the young guys coming into the industry, it’s one of my hopes that these sorts of things inspire them to reach out beyond their own career path and try to make a difference for the bigger picture.”
The Victoria duo will be inducted into the hall of fame with Barbara Genge, owner of Tuckamore Lodge in Newfoundland.
The three new members will join tourism industry pioneers Bob Wright (2011), Ian Ross (2006) and Rod Harris (2011) in the hall.
