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Terry Farmer named Hotelier of the Century

Two hotel-industry veterans from Victoria were honoured Monday night at the first B.C. Hotel Association and the Alliance of Beverage Licensees hospitality industry awards.
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Terry Farmer, co-founder of Accent Inns.

Two hotel-industry veterans from Victoria were honoured Monday night at the first B.C. Hotel Association and the Alliance of Beverage Licensees hospitality industry awards.

Terry Farmer, co-founder of Accent Inns, and Michelle LeSage, general manager of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, were the two local award winners. Paul Rickett was named Liquor Retailer of the Year and Paul Doherty was named Publican of the Year.

LeSage was given the Hotelier of the Year award, but was upstaged by Farmer, who was named Hotelier of the Century in the year the BCHA celebrated its 100 anniversary.

“I thought I had become a has-been, especially after my daughter [Mandy Farmer, CEO of Accent Inns] recently and rightly received the distinction of being awarded Hotelier of the Year by Hotelier Magazine,” Farmer said. “Therefore, I am doubly honoured and humbled to receive this very special acknowledgment from my peers and thankful for all of our industry partners.”

Farmer’s career as a hotelier began in 1986 when he opened a motor inn in Victoria.

Accent Inns now has properties at five locations including Victoria, Richmond, Burnaby, Kelowna and Kamloops. Recently the company added a new brand, Hotel Zed, with locations in Victoria and Kelowna.