Kiwi hotel receptionist named world's best
06 Mar 2009
Four years in the job and already the best in the world, Kiwi hotel receptionist Eve Stacey of Wellington’s Intercontinental hotel is remarkably humble.
The part-time receptionist has beaten 12 of the world's best front-of-house hotel staff to be awarded the International Receptionist of the Year by the AICR, the world association of deputy managers and reception heads of luxury hotels.
Ms Stacey stepped into a job as a waiter at the five-star hotel on the capital city’s waterfront, the day after finishing high school, so she could fund her university studies through the job.
World championships
Fresh back from topping the world championships in Cannes, France, Ms Stacey says she has not quite come to grips with the heavy gold trophy named after the chef de reception at the Paris Ritz Hotel, David Campbell.
Tested on her presentation, personality and ability to manage difficult scenarios, the young receptionist said the secret to her job was finding a way to click with each customer.
The most difficult ones were those fresh off a long flight who missed their families or were having "one of those days", she said.
"They are people, they are volatile, they have emotions. You have to be sympathetic."
Weighing up options
With a double university degree almost finished, the 22-year-old is weighing up her career options but says the award makes the hotel industry a clear standout.
As well as the Cannes trip and a small cheque to put toward her studies, Ms Stacey will now be a judge on the next AICR receptionist championships in Madrid in 2010.
Competitors needed character, a mind for a career in the industry, but mostly they had to show their "sparkle". Front-of-house staff in any industry needed to do it well, she said, and on a tough day it was a hard job to keep it up.
NZ track record
Ms Stacey’s award is the second for New Zealand in the international competition in the last two years.
Crowne Plaza Christchurch receptionist Cheryl Swanston came second at the awards in Dubai last year.
The country’s involvement in the local arm of the AICR was paying off with New Zealand establishing a good track record on the all-important first impressions front, said President Terry Johnston.
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