Corporate Hotelier of the World Beatrice Tollman , founder and president of the London-based Red Carnation Hotel Collection , and Independent Hotelier

of the World Danilo Zucchetti , managing director of Villa d ’ Este Hotels on Lake Como in Italy , joined a virtual awards presentation in November with HOTELS Editor in Chief Jeff Weinstein .

“ Looking back at more than 60 years in hospitality , this business is something that you have to give your life to ,” Tollman said , recalling how she and

her husband started out with a small hotel in South Africa and repeating her mantra : “ No request is too large , and no request is too small .”

Zucchetti , who spent most of his career in Italy at luxury hotels with stints at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts , preserves and maintains the history at the Villa d ’ Este with his own , distinct

approach . In accepting the award , he said it also belonged to his team — “ not only the present one , but also the ones who preceded us , because I think in our business , there is a thread of time ,” Zucchetti said . “ We keep on carrying of the tradition , the dedication , of our predecessors … From each one of these persons , I learned something .