Business travelers also seek out security preparedness in hotels
As a rule, guests choose to stay in a hotel because of two primary factors – its superior location and the excellent service rendered by its frontliners.
Corporate clients, nevertheless, include a third significant element: well established security procedures and protocols.
Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City hotel manager Armand Angeles said corporate clients, who make up a significant part of the hotel chain’s guests throughout its five Philippine locations, “seek assurance that measures are in place before accrediting establishments to do business with their executives.” This is particularly true in the key cities of Mindanao where security threats have been muted – but nevertheless remain – amidst a host of opportunities brought about by a growing economy.
Angeles said Cagayan de Oro is a key educational hub in Northern Mindanao and is also perceived as the gateway to the rest of Region 10. Among Philippine cities, it ranks fourth in population size and is a destination for multinationals including business process outsourcing firms (BPOs), local conglomerates and lately, power corporations seeking to serve the area’s needs. Nevertheless, when well publicized security threats occur in nearby cities and localities, occupancy in the city’s hotels dip in general.
The Seda executive said in such instances, companies are just being cautious about sending employees to the city. In the case of Seda Centrio, business usually returns to normal within a short period as indicated by occupancy rates. He attributes this resilience to the security measures and programs employed by the hotel on a year-around basis.
One of the most effective programs is a training course for security managers and officers developed by the American Hotels and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). AHLEI, which counts over 15,000 member properties, is a globally respected name in the hotel training, certification and hospitality education. The programs include training in the latest security protocols all the way to handling emergencies. An AHLEI certification means that the bearer has been trained to a level of expertise in line with global standards.
The security heads of corporations, who visit and assess the properties, also appreciate that Seda Centrio and Centrio Mall closely coordinate with one another. “We receive the same training from Red Cross and other key agencies and are organized to assist each other in emergencies,” says Angeles.
During the weekends, Seda guests from Bukidnon, Iligan and other urban hubs in the region seeking rest and recreation also benefit from the synergy between the two units. Hotel guests who visit the mall enjoy perks like free cinema tickets and food vouchers.
Seda Centrio’s 150 rooms register having the largest market share in the city due to its strategic location offering easy access to a host of dining and retail options combined with excellent service, according to reviews in TripAdvisor. In tandem with security, these benefits make a stay at Seda Centrio a compelling value proposition.