Austrian employee of historic Vienna hotel named world's best receptionist

A 22-year-old employee of Hotel Sacher in the Austrian capital was named "International Receptionist of the Year," the hotel said on Tuesday.

Nikola Farkas, who has been working at the historic luxury hotel since May 2018, is the first Austrian to be awarded the "David Campbell Trophy", named after the chef de reception at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, by the International Association for Deputy Managers and Front Office Managers of Luxury Hotels (AICR), according to local media reports.

The award has been given annually by the AICR since 1995. Farkas had to demonstrate his skills both in a written test and a role play test at this year's AICR Congress, which took place in the Polish capital Warsaw on Feb. 5-9.

"Listen carefully and always remain authentic -- I think that's what makes a good receptionist," said Farkas, who prevailed against 14 colleagues from all over the world with his calmness and friendliness.

Hotel Sacher has been an important part of Vienna's cultural history since its opening in 1876. Famous guests included former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, American actress Sharon Stone, Canadian singer Justin Bieber and British supermodel Naomi Campbell.

It is also famous for the specialty of the house, the Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot filling.