A Balinese Reception for New Zealand

(1/15/2011)

Already acknowledged as home to some of the world's best hotels, Bali's hotel industry recently sought additional accolades by sending one of its "hotel front liners" to Christchurch, New Zealand, to represent Bali and Indonesia at the "International Receptionist of the Year" competition.

Held each year by the "Amicale Internationale des Sous Directeurs et Chefs de Réception des Grand Hôtels (AICR)" or "The International Association of Deputy Managers and Front Office Managers of Luxury Hotels" the competition's main objective is to help train hotel reception staff in the cordiality and courtesy extended to travelers.

Representing Indonesia and Bali at the competition was Putu Cintya Purnama Sari, known to friends as Cintya, who was voted the "National Best Hotel Receptionist of the Year 2009", by the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Hotel Front Liner Association and Indonesia Hospitality Alliance. This distinction qualified Cintya to travel to New Zealand and compete in January 2011 against 14 countries for the prestigious Chef de Reception honor - The David Campbell Trophy.

The late David Campbell was the Chef de Reception at The Ritz Hotel, Paris. In memory of David and in acknowledgement of his dedication and passionate commitment to the industry, the annual International Receptionist of the Year Competition was formed.

A 23-year old from Bali, Cintya works at Novotel Bali Benoa as a receptionist. Earlier this year she took honors as the "National Receptionist of the Year 2009." In that national competition, she defeated six other Indonesian finalists from the 250 hotels that participated.

Said Cintya: "I am humbled to have achieved this award. With the support from my colleagues, I will go to Christchurch and do my very best to bring home the David Campbell trophy. I want to make Bali and Indonesia proud!"

Olivier Moies-Delval, General Manager of Novotel Bali Benoa added: "We are delighted with Cintya's great performance in the recent competition and it does reflect on all of the team at Novotel Bali Benoa. Cintya has already reached an important achievement, so it will be a greater pride for us when she wins at international level."

Said Bali Hotel Front Liner Association (HFLA) chairman, I Nengah Widiasa, said Cyntia's victory in the national competition was a prestigious award for Bali and represented a "great step forward" for the Island's Hotel Front Liners Association. "Hopefully, this win will be an encouragement to other hotel front liners in Bali," he said.

Preparing for Christchurch involved hours of practice to make sure that the competitive role-plays ran smoothly and interviews were handled professionally.

May We Have the Envelope Please?

Sadly for Cintya and for Bali, when the results of the competition were announced in New Zealand on Friday, January 14, 2011, the top prize went to Vanessa Kellerhals of The Dolder Resort in Switzerland. 1st Runner-up was Amanda Roberts, The Museum Hotel, New Zealand and 2nd Runner-up was awarded to Doris Schwarz, Intercontinental Vienna, Austria.

The fourteen countries competing for honor in Christchurch were Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Dubai, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Hotel Front Liners Association

The Hotel Front Liners Association (HFLA - Bali) is the association of Bali hotels, resorts and villas director. HFLA Bali has 108 active members under the Bali Hotels Association.