Central North Island Heat of New Zealand Hotel Receptionist of the Year 2013
Maya Storey of Hilton Lake Taupo named Central North Island’s best Hotel Receptionist…
Maya Storey of Hilton Lake Taupo was named best Hotel Receptionist in the Central North Island as she competed against
other Hotel Receptionists from the Rotorua and Taupo Region.
The Central North Island’s Regional heat of Receptionist of the year was held on Friday 9th August at Hilton Lake Taupo.
The candidates represented leading Hotels from the Central North Island including Hilton Lake Taupo, Millennium Manuels
Taupo and Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua.
The Central North Island heat was the third of five regional competitions this year, facilitated by the International
Association for Deputy Managers and Front Office Managers of Luxury Hotels (AICR NZ), searching for the best Hotel
Receptionist in New Zealand. Candidates from leading hotels throughout the country undergo a gruelling panel interview,
testing their knowledge on costs, profits, revenue, yield management, staffing level, structure and promotional ideas
etc. This is followed by a skill demonstration (role-play) where candidates have to think on their feet to identify
guest’s needs and match them with the highest standard of customer care and professionalism.
Alongside Storey of the Hilton Lake Taupo was our 1st Runner up, Sophie Rainbow of Millennium Manuels Taupo and our 2nd
Runner up, Viola Schoettle also of Hilton Lake Taupo.
The Judges of the Central heat on August 9th, Travis Moriarty (Hotel Manager of Heritage Viceroy Hotel), Hope
Kewene-Horsley (Hospitality Tutor at Waiariki Institute), Paul Young (Training Manager of Bayview Wairakei Resort) and
Terry Johnston (President of AICR NZ ) commented that the standard of competitors was very high yet again this year.
AICR NZ Central Vice President Blaine Inch, Front Office Manager of Hilton Lake Taupo commented “It was great to see the
competition held for a second consecutive year in the Central North Island. After the success of Paula Roberts (Central
Branch winner and National competition winner 2012), it was important we found the right candidates to defend our
national title later this year. Maya and Sophie were stand out performers and we are confident we can yet again take out
the top prize in Christchurch this September.” Both Storey and Rainbow will now go on to represent the AICR NZ Central
Branch and compete for the title of New Zealand Receptionist of the Year being held in Christchurch on September 27th.
The national winner will then go on to represent New Zealand at the AICR International Receptionist of the Year
competition which will be held in Hamburg, January 2014.
‘Receptionist of the year winner 2013’: Maya Storey (left) with Blaine Inch (Right)
ENDS