Sy-led hotel braces for busier 2018

After posting the highest growth ever registered in its seven-year operation in Cebu, Radisson Blu Cebu expects a much busier year in 2018.

The temporary closure of Cebu City Marriott Hotel is one of the strongest factors that will keep Radisson Blu’s operations tighter this year, as it noted that the former’s clients automatically transfered their bookings to them, said hotel general manager Laurent Boisdron.

Last year, the SMdeveloped hotel registered a 16 percent growth in hotel's average daily rate, the highest ever recorded in seven year.

“2017 is a banner and best year for Radisson Blu Cebu,” said the outgoing general manager.

He added that the hotel enjoyed high annual occupancy in the mid-80’s level, and attributed the sweeping growth to the booming meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (Mice) and growing leisure markets.

The 400-room business hotel also played as one of the major hosts to many key events last year, including the Asean Defense and Economic meetings in April and July.

“We made a great progress in 2017, and we will certainly be keeping that momentum going in 2018," added Boisdron, who will be leaving the Carlson management chain, to join another SM Group's developed hotel in Manila.

This year, Boisdron expects further increase in corporate activities, with the absence of Marriott Hotel.

“Besides growing our corporate bookings, we are hoping to grow our business transients with the closure of Marriott Cebu. We hope to fill in the gap,” added Ann Olalo, the hotel's director for sales and marketing.

In fact, before 2017 ended, there are already four bookings for Asia Pacific Conventions to be held within this year, as well as other big international meetings and conventions.

The hotel is also preparing for the influx of more international leisure and new corporate clients from abroad after the opening of the Mactan International Airport Terminal 2 this year.

Earlier, the Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) dubbed 2017 as the banner year for the hospitality industry in Cebu.

HRRAC president Carlo B. Suarez said that hotels and resorts in Cebu are reporting good revenue performance in 2017. in fact it exceeded the expectations of the players.