Ms Shireen Bhullar from Raffles Hotel clinched top spot in last year’s Alcatel-Lucent Challenge Trophy - Hotel Receptionist of the Year Award 2012

(TRAVPR.COM) SINAGPORE - January 15th, 2013 - Singapore has selected its candidate to represent the country in the David Campbell Trophy competition. Ms Shireen Bhullar from Raffles Hotel clinched top spot in last year's Alcatel-Lucent Challenge Trophy - Hotel Receptionist of the Year Award 2012 and will represent Singapore in the international leg of the competition in Rome, Italy in January 2013.

Shireen Kaur Bhullar's dedication in providing the highest standards of service at this luxury hotel Singapore has seen her emerging as the winner of the Hotel Receptionist of the Year Award 2012.

With her outgoing and amicable personality, Shireen knew it was the right decision for her to join the vibrant hospitality industry after graduating from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Theatre Studies and Art History.

Starting out as a Junior Butler in Raffles Hotel Singapore in January 2010, Shireen was a perfect fit for the Grand Dame, with its illustrious history of providing legendary service and memorable experiences to all who visited her. Shireen has developed into a confident, professional front office service agent at this Singapore Hotel (http://www.raffles.com/singapore/) providing excellent service to all her guests. Her patience and genuine service has won the hearts of many repeat guests to the hotel.

A firm believer in constantly upgrading herself to better serve her guests, Shireen has completed seven Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) modules through the Receptionist of the Year Award and enrolls in training workshops conducted by the hotel on an ongoing basis to perfect her customer service skills.

The competition attracted 24 participants last year and is jointly organized by Association of Rooms Division Executives (ARDE) and supported by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and Shatec Institute. Into its 17th year, the annual event aims to recognise outstanding frontline talent, raise service standards, encourage new entrants into the hotel sector and raise the profile of the Hotel Receptionist as a valid and rewarding career, ignite a healthy and competitive passion for customer service and motivate front line staff to excel in their current roles.

Shireen will represent Singapore at the AICR (Amicale Internationale des Chefs de Réception et Sous-Directeurs des Grands Hôtels) International Best Hotel Receptionist of the Year 2012 competition to vie for the prestigious "David Campbell Trophy". The international competition will be held in Rome, Italy on 17 January 2013. Additionally, Shireen also won a scholarship to pursue a WSQ Diploma in Tourism (Hospitality), jointly sponsored by ARDE and WDA, at Ascott Centre for Excellence.

This year's challenge attracted 24 participants from various hotels vying for the top spot in the Hotel Receptionist of the Year Award 2012, also known as The Alcatel-Lucent Challenge Trophy 2012.

ABOUT RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, luxury international hotel company with a history dating back to 1887 with the opening of Raffles Hotel, Singapore. The portfolio currently comprises nine luxurious properties, from secluded resorts to city hotels in key locations around the world: in Singapore, Cambodia, the Philippines, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles and Paris, each one is an oasis of calm and charm. The company is embarking on a new phase of expansion, with openings in Indonesia, Istanbul and China scheduled over the next two years. With a compelling mix of cultures and styles, every hotel in the Raffles family has its own individual personality, with its own story to tell and its own sense of place. However, each one is proud to draw on the timeless essence of Raffles - to deliver thoughtful, personal and discreet service to well-travelled guests.

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