In the most brutal year for the tourism industry, these four Kelowna hospitality workers really shone.

The Kelowna Hotel Motel Association recently handed out its Heart of Hospitality Awards saying it was essential to come together (virtually) to celebrate excellence in these COVID times.

There was a tie for the Spirit of Kelowna award presented by Tourism Kelowna to a hospitality worker who is an exceptional ambassador of the city in everything they do.

The co-winners were Ginette Parenteau, the director of sales at the Best Western Kelowna, and Sergio Cunial, the conference manager at Kelowna Ramada Hotel.

"I have the privilege of facilitating all kinds of travel to his fabulous full-service hotel," said Parenteau.

Cunial has worked at the Ramada for 35 years and is the first to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with colleagues and hotel and conference guests.

Jill Breer from Eldorado Resort won Service Superstar, the award based on guest stories of a hotel worker repeatedly going above and beyond.

Jane Goldring from Sandman Hotel picked up the Heart & Soul award based on nominations by her peers and co-workers.

For 26 years, Goldring has been a night auditor at the hotel, one of the unsung heroes who works while the rest of the world is sleeping.

The Kelowna Hotel Motel Association represents 31 properties with a total of 3,200 rooms.

Average hotel occupancy in the city tumbled to about 20% as the pandemic dragged on amid travel restrictions and cancellation of conventions, banquets and sports teams bookings.