Hotels, staff reap benefits

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2015/09/16/hotels-staff-reap-benefits-430667
• Wednesday, September 16, 2015

By Katlene O. Cacho

FROM consuming 2,000 kilos of mangoes to spending P20 million in preparations, local hotel officials believe Cebu as a destination will reap benefits for years after hosting meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

“It was a resounding success in every inch of the way,” said Nishan Silva, general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, which managed to handle 50 out of the 84 APEC meetings held in Cebu.

According to Silva, the whole team has brought the hotel service to the “next level”, going the extra mile to provide the best hotel experience to APEC delegates. Radisson invested roughly P20 million for the APEC preparation from the hotel’s facelift to ballroom upgrade and improved food and beverages.

Extra workers

“And results were just amazing. The one-year preparation was all worth it,” said Silva, who also sits on the board of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC). “We believe we were able to make something that will drive Cebu and the hospitality industry forward.”

Radisson hired 200 extra hotel staff members and 55 additional security officers for the APEC meetings. Silva said the 21-day event has also benefited local suppliers, citing the 2,000 kilos of mangoes his hotel consumed for its food and beverage menu.

“Everything was a team effort. The experience was unimaginable,” said Silva.

Radisson’s hosting of APEC meetings has translated to P15 million in public relations for the hotel. Likewise, the meetings provided the highest service charge for the month at P43,000 per hotel staff member, as opposed to the P25,000 service charge share on normal months.

Certificates

Radisson has over 200 hotel staffers.

“More than the hotel reaping revenues, it is our employees that also reaped tremendous benefits. In fact, our employees where also given certificates by the US delegation which signify their service during the APEC Summit without our knowledge,” said Silva.

Other APEC appointed hotels also shared the same positive sentiments.

Mids Cleofe Albiso, Cebu City Marriott Hotel director for sales and marketing, said hosting the meetings has helped them promote the Marriott brand and Cebuano’s signature brand of hospitality.

“Cebu City Marriott Hotel as one of the hosting hotels definitely had a chance to showcase the brand’s banner of brilliant hosting. Our associates were all hyped to provide service excellence to the APEC participants and to the organizing committee members. Both local and international delegates felt the level of importance and VIP treatment fulfilling our brand promise,” said Albiso.

“In the course of two weeks, each of the comments and evaluation from the guests inspired the team to do even more in the remaining days of the duration of the meetings. As a whole, it was a satisfying experience for both us hosts and our guests,” she added.

Marriott Hotel earned positive comments from delegates for the “great service and good food”. The hotel prepared local pastries and delicacies during themed coffee breaks, which depicted the culture of Cebu and the Philippines, plus a short literature for guests to appreciate.

“Everything was well-planned and prepared. Not perfect like everybody else, but given the amount of preparation, it was indeed a dedicated service extended to our guests in-house,” said Albiso.

‘A different city’

As for Marco Polo Hotel Cebu, Julie Najar, the hotel’s general manager, said the APEC meetings recently held here has a positive impact for Cebu and the hospitality industry.

“First, on the angle of APEC and the attending delegates, Cebu gave them a varied perspective of what a different city in the Philippines has to offer and the readiness of Cebu to host such international and high profile events. Second, for Cebu had a first time experience that only proved that if all sectors of business and government work together on reaching a common goal, possibilities of results are endless,” said Najar.

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino also successfully hosted some of the APEC meetings. Arnel Aparis, the hotel’s marketing communications manager, said that the delegates described the hotel as their “happy place”, as they did not encounter major problems and that they were all well taken care of.

No glitches

He said the APEC Committee was happy with the “very good service” extended to them.

“They did not have any problem with staff, from the waiters to the general manager. They were happy that we always checked on them and accommodated their requests,” said Aparis.

The Department of Health, which had the most number of meetings in their hotel, congratulated the team for they did not experience any glitches. Aparis also added they were happy with the food, which was served during themed breaks, as well as the entertainment provided, which allowed the delegates to take plenty of pictures.

Banking on the APEC experience, Silva said Mice (meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibitions) is “absolutely the way to go for Cebu” and that the successful hosting only proves that Cebu is ready to host big events. He said they are excited for the International Eucharistic Congress as well as the ASEAN Summit in 2017.

“They will remember Cebu. We have delivered and there’s definitely a comeback from guests, either for another business convention or this time, for leisure with their families and friends,” said Silva, adding that some guests already expressed interest to come back to Cebu, given the limited time they had, which was mostly spent attending meetings.