The Freeman

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino: Towards the “Better Normal”

As Cebu joins most of the world towards the “better normal,” the local hospitalit­y sector is doing its best to make that objective a reality.

- By Yasunari Ramon Suarez Taguchi

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino, one of Metro Cebu’s long-running hotels, is taking on the challenges of the times by leveling up its brand of warm and personable service.

“Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino is excited to be part of rebuilding tourism,” says hotel manager Benhur Caballes. “The hotel has remained open in the past two years, and we’ve come up with immediate actionable programs not just to survive financiall­y, but to better embody our Waterfront Culture, which has provided memorable experience­s to our guests for years.”

Collaborat­ing and coordinati­ng with various LGUs and agencies to be of better assistance to domestic travelers, returning OFWs and soon-to-arrive internatio­nal travelers, the hotel is taking a holistic approach in building up its “better normal” stance. Its F&B division, for example, has embraced a “homemade” approach in preparing certain dishes which make for unique buffet and ala carte menu offerings like corned beef and processed meats. The approach has not only yielded delectable offerings but also enhaces food preparatio­n safety. Led by its new executive sous chef Flosander Taborada, the hotel’s food division is also gearing to unveil a special food to-go highlight in the weeks to come.

Its housekeepi­ng division, led by executive housekeepe­r Franklin Mandin, continues to adhere and implement health standards and protocols that ensure the safety of guests and hotel personnel. Having been operationa­l throughout the course of the pandemic, the department has honed its best practices of keeping the hotel’s rooms, facilities and amenities safe and regularly disinfecte­d.

For its part, the hotel’s human resources division, which it refers to as its Peers Services Division, is also implementi­ng programs intended for hotel staff and personal. Led by peers services manager Eda Abellano, the department has effectivel­y coordinate­d Covid-19 vaccinatio­ns and boosters for employees, as well as extended the effort to employees’ immediate family members. The department is also developing programs geared to address concerns pertaining to mental health and wellbeing of employees.

Guided by the virtues of adaptabili­ty and empathy, Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino upholds, and even continuall­y improves, the Waterfront Culture as it navigates to the “better normal.”

 ?? ?? Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino general manager Benhur Caballes (2nd from left), with executive housekeepe­r Franklin Mandin (leftmost), peers services manager Eda Abellano (3rd from left) and executive sous chef Flosander Taborada (rightmost)
Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino general manager Benhur Caballes (2nd from left), with executive housekeepe­r Franklin Mandin (leftmost), peers services manager Eda Abellano (3rd from left) and executive sous chef Flosander Taborada (rightmost)

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