Radisson Blu to complete renovations by end-2019

CEBU, Philippines — Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is set to complete the renovations of its rooms before the end of 2019.

Radisson Blu Cebu’s general manager Stephan Sieberg announced the completion of the first phase of the P400 million modernization program over the weekend, which covered 50

rooms now fully refurbished including the business class accommodations. These are the rooms located at the upper floors (19, 20 and 21).

All the 400 rooms of the hotel are expected to have new and refreshed look before the end of this year, or probably in the early 2020.

This is the first major renovation program conducted by the hotel nine years after it opened.

The SM Group developed hotel launched in 2010, aims at providing the most modern room amenities to its guests, specifically that Cebu is now flooded with new hotels, said the German general manager who took his Cebu assignment a year ago.

With promising business in tourism in Cebu and the fast evolving global travelers, Sieberg said there is a need for the property to catch up with the latest trends in accommodation amenities.

Constant upgrade and enhancement programs for all its facilities are crucial to its business, he stressed.

The all-room overhaul program is funded by the hotel’s money, and it spends more or less P1 million per room.

Large part of the budget for each room goes to the amenities installed in bathrooms, which is carefully studied by professional interior designers from Singapore to suit the preference of modern and sophisticated travelers.

“We have to re-invest with the destination,” said Sieberg clarifying that despite these investments price points or room rates is largely driven by the market demand.

“We don’t want to be outdated,” he said reiterating that Cebu is a sensitive market and that rates are carefully calculated considering the supply and demand and the competition.

“The way we price in hotel is very dynamic. It is based in supply and demand. Cebu has picked up tremendously. There has been a continuous upswing in the last five years,” Sieberg explained.

However, because of the continuous upsurge of business hotel room demand in Cebu fueled by the robust MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), there’ll might be an adjustment of more or less 15 percent.

At present 16 percent of the hotel’s business is sustained by MICE events. (FREEMAN)