Trail Blazing Blanket Bay General Manager to Retire

Trail Blazing Blanket Bay General Manager to Retire

Queenstown, May 22, 2014 - Philip Jenkins, the inaugural General Manager of internationally-renowned luxury lodge Blanket Bay near Queenstown, is to retire this September leaving a legacy of excellence and leadership at the property and throughout the luxury sector.

Jenkins joined Blanket Bay in January 1999, half-way through its construction, and is responsible for first establishing the hotel, then leading it to worldwide acclaim. Awards over the past 15 years have been numerous, and include being named the World’s Ultimate Escape by the UK Sunday Times Magazine, several times landing the coveted Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report ‘best hotel under 50 rooms‘ and earning the title of Best New Zealand Lodge in 2011 from the Australian Hotel Management Publication.

His 15-year tenure at Blanket Bay forms the last part of a 35-year career in the hospitality and tourism industry. Jenkins has served on the International Board of Directors of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, representing the Asia Pacific region, and has taken leading roles in the marketing and promotion of Queenstown and New Zealand. Jenkins will continue to provide part-time trade and marketing consulting support to Blanket Bay for the next couple of years from the Bay of Islands, where he is moving with wife Karen.

“Blanket Bay has been a dream property to look after,” Jenkins says. “It has been a privilege to work for Tom and Pauline Tusher and alongside my fantastic team who collectively deserve most of the credit for our success. Family support at home has also been a key ingredient. I would like to extend my personal thanks to all of them and the many hospitality suppliers and operators in Queenstown who make this one of the most dynamic destinations on the planet.”

Blanket Bay owner Tom Tusher says Jenkins has led the hotel with integrity and passion:
“He has formed strong partnerships within the travel industry and provided exceptional service to our guests. Philip's tenure of over 15 years is exceptional in our industry and he richly deserves the time and opportunity to pursue his long-standing passion for sailing as he moves into retirement. We appreciate both Philip's work dedication, his commitment to Blanket Bay, and his personal friendship over the past 15 years, and wish him well in his retirement.”

Blanket Bay owners Pauline and Tom Tusher have appointed experienced boutique hotel manager Brent Hyde as his replacement.

Waikato-born Hyde has 36 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and will join the Blanket Bay team this August. He specialises in managing boutique-style luxury lodges, hotels and boats in some of the world’s most challenging and remote environments like Alaska, New Zealand and the Himalayan mountains of Bhutan.

For the past 6 years Hyde has been General Manager at Hotel Zhiwa Ling in Bhutan, where he has brought the business, facilities and the local team of staff and managers to a level where they are recognised to be one of the best in Bhutan.

Jenkins says: “The Blanket Bay painting is not dry, I am confident Brent will take Blanket Bay to bigger and better things and I wish him every success going forward.”

“Brent brings both experience and maturity to his new role, and a record of building strong trade, staff, and guest relationships, all of which we consider essential qualities for a new manager at Blanket Bay,” Tom Tusher says.

Further information: www.blanketbay.com

ENDS

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