On the evening of Nov. 26, the Word’s Best Receptionist- the David Campbell Trophy China National Competition concluded successfully. Lam Sean Ryan and Zheng Yuanfeng from the Hospitality Management Major of International College won the first and the third prize respectively. According to the competition schedule, Lam Sean Ryan, the champion will represent China in the Finals to be held in Baden Baden in Germany in 2022.

A strong referee team in China National Competition

The World’s Best Receptionist Competition is the highest level event in the hospitality reception field, and also a grand event in the European hotel industry. The organizer of the competition—AICR was established in 1964 in the southeast of France, initiated by the front office managers of several famous luxury five-star hotels in France. In the past 50 years, AICR has grown into an international organization with 17 branches active in 16 countries and continue to grow. In recent years, the competition has been held online due to the epidemic.

The competition adheres to the principles of fairness and justice, with a strong panel of judges composed of 8 experts and industry professionals from six countries, which is well recognized by the industry professionals. After many rounds of selection, the top 16 players from 10 universities across the country were selected for the China National Competition Final. The competition consists of three modules: self-introduction video recording, written test and the receptionist service process. Contestants are required to use English throughout the competition. The written test mainly examines the contestant’s professional knowledge of reception, the accounting of the hotel revenue, and the analysis and management of the business situation. Besides the simulated reception scenarios at the reception desk, the receptionist service module also adds industry knowledge assessment and handling guest complaints, etc., to examine contestants’ front office reception skills, sales ability and professional quality, as well as their cognition and views on the hotel industry, which put forward high requirements for the contestants’ professional skills, cultural literacy and communication skills.

During the competition, Lam Sean Ryan was composed. With his professional and standardized service etiquette, authentic and pure English, confident and elegant expression, he conquered all the judges and won the championship, which fully demonstrated the excellent professional skills and comprehensive quality of the students majoring in hospitality management of International College, and also showed the achievements of the construction of the characteristic specialty of hospitality management of International College. From Hong Kong, China, Lam Sean Ryan said frankly, “It is the International philosophy of International College and the high-quality talent training achievements attracted me to Xiamen University”. This competition added a strong touch to his university life and strengthened his devotion to the hotel industry.

Champion, Lam Sean Ryan

Zheng Yuanfeng, the third prize winner

“The competition requires the contestants to have 6 months of internship experience in the hotel reception desk. According to the requirements, we carefully selected students and gave them one-to-one technical guidance according to their characteristics and also did a lot of practices” said Shi Fengxia, the head of the Hospitality Management Teaching and Research Group, “International College has been focusing on improving the quality of teaching, cultivating students’ innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and practical ability. The attention and support from the leaders of International College is the strong back for us to successfully participate into the competition. ”

Teacher Shi Fengxia instructed students to record the competition video

As one of brand majors of International College, hospitality management major has cultivated many excellent talents and won the well recognition of the society, the school, parents and students. International College has co-built the “School-enterprise Cooperation Internship and Training Base” with Conrad Xiamen, Royal Victoria Hotel and other hotels, providing students with high-quality internship and employment opportunities. Meanwhile, International College actively encourages teachers and students to participate in various competitions. In November, 2018, Jiang Huiran, a student from 2016 hospitality management major won the "Best Popularity Award" and the 4^th place in the "3rd College Student Sommelier Competition in China". International College insists on promoting teaching and reform through competition， comprehensively enhance students’ all-around quality and ability, and further promote the professional teaching , and the reform and development of the hospitality management major.