The man who runs Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is being saluted by peers around the world for his quick thinking to save the iconic Alberta hotel in last year’s devastating wildfire .

Garrett Turta, the lodge’s general manager, was recently named hotelier of the year by Historic Hotels Worldwide.

The organization says the award goes to the person making the highest contribution to leadership in the industry and considered the most prestigious prize.

“When they called me, my jaw dropped,” Turta said.

Turta was in charge in late July 2024 when the hotel complex — a main building along with cabins around a lake — was threatened by the wildfire.

He said about 2,500 guests and staff had already fled the ferocious wildfire near the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper when he ordered the only oth

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