The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced the winners of the concluded Concierge Competition 2010 during an awards ceremony held yesterday (Saturday, November 13, 2010) at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. The Concierge Competition 2010 has been organized by DTCM for the ninth consecutive year in cooperation with sponsors from Burjuman, Nicholas Publication and Big Bus Company.
The awards ceremony was attended by Ibrahim Yaqoot, Executive Director, Corporate Support, DTCM. He was joined by prominent personalities from the hospitality sector of Dubai, representatives of the sponsoring Concierge Magazine and Big Bus Company, and customer- service professionals.
Brian Bimbo from Mina A'Salaam was crowned Concierge of the Year 2010.
The Concierge Competition 2010 attracted 44 competing teams of customer service staff from 5-star hotels in Dubai. The participating teams underwent tests that focused on general information about the famous tourist sites and attractions in Dubai, in addition to customer-related issues and the necessary information that must be provided to hotel guests.
Ibrahim Yaqoot delivered a message during the ceremony and congratulated the winners on behalf of H.E. Khalid Bin Sulayem, Director General of DTCM. He wished the participants further success and excellence. Yaqoot also said that DTCM has organized the annual competition as part of its commitment to develop the hotel and hospitality services and improve the tourism sector in Dubai.
Thomas Lerch from Raffles Hotel, Dubai, won the award for Best Head Concierge 2010, received a Dhs. 5000 cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate of appreciation presented by Mr Yaqoot.
The Fairmont Hotel was chosen as the 'Concierge Team of the Year' and received a sum of Dhs. 24,000, certificate and a trophy. The other winners were Arnulfo Guinto of Dusit Thani for First Class Customer Care; Shamim (Mohd Uddin) of Dusit Thani for Outstanding Knowledge of Attractions and Events; Anita Lotter of Ritz Carlton for Outstanding Knowledge of Culture and Heritage; Marwan Mohammed, Shangri La, Emirati Concierge.
The Concierge Competition 2010 awards were presented after six months of extensive efforts of mystery shoppers who made various visits to 44 hotel websites, at least six visits for each hotel, and gave scores to different attitudes and related skills. The awards had been identified according to the mystery guest reports, role plays, quiz competition with buzzer rounds and the individual presentations introduced by all participating hotels.
