Member of Parliament for South East St Ann, Lisa Hanna, took to social media to congratulate her long-time friend Jerry Inzerillo on being named ‘Corporate Hotelier Of The World’ by Hotels magazine.

The Hotelier of the World award recognizes individuals whose careers and accomplishments demonstrate a commitment to service, operational excellence and performance in the global hotel business.

According to Hanna, she could not think of any one more deserving of the award than Inzerillo.

How did Hanna and Inzerillo meet?

As Hanna sought to “big-up” her long-time friend, she used the occasion to share how she met Inzerillo.

According to Hanna, she met Inzerillo during her time in South Africa in 1993 while competing in the Miss World pageant.

“You know you could get disqualified…I heard a male voice behind me say in the dead of night as I ran across the hotel lawn back to my room,” said Hanna as she shared with her Instagram following how she met Inzerillo.

“Not if you don’t keep your mouth shut” I turned around and quipped calmly. This was nearly 30 years ago in Sun City South Africa,” she added.

Hanna shared that she and Inzerillo became such good friends that he travelled to New York City to give her away at her first wedding.

Inzerillo is a celebrated visionary recognized for his trademark innovation and his extensive network of global contacts in tourism, hospitality, entertainment, business and governmental affairs, cultivated during his 50-year career.

He currently serves as the CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), a cultural heritage and tourism development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.