F&B, improved bookings offset low occupancy rate

CEBU, Philippines —  Despite a dismal room occupancy rate, Radisson Blu Cebu managed to stay afloat owing to the food and beverage segment and improved events bookings as its bread and butter.

The 400-room SM Group-developed hotel has sustained the brunt of the pandemic by continuously innovating attractive and affordable food and beverage packages, the reason why it has to extend the offering of its Chinese menu choices for the entire month of February, as part of its offering for Chinese New Year celebration.

 “The dining foot traffic in F&B [food and beverage] business including banquet  are picking up. Social events are [slowly] coming back,” said Ruby Nepomuceno, Dir. of Business Development, in an interview.

While other hotel businesses in the country, such as Makati Shangri-La, and others, had to temporarily shut down operations due to unprofitable hotel business as of this time, Nepomuceno said Radisson Blu is fighting against the lowest season in history.

Radisson Blu Cebu has opted to stay as a leisure hotel instead of a quarantine hotel. Room bookings, according to Nepomuceno, has stayed in its lowest level. However, the hotel is getting its business largely in small, intimate events like weddings, food and beverage in its lobby bar restaurant and active mobile workers.

To take advantage of the improving bookings in small events like weddings, the hotel is boosting its edge by reducing the wedding package rates, she added.

In an earlier interview with Radisson Blu Cebu general manager Bjorn Henning Buth, he said that since it’s re-opening in September 2020, people slowly come to the hotel, mostly to avail of the facilities for those who are working-from-home (WFH).

The “work with pleasure” market is also one segment that is keeping the business alive.

Because of the hotel’s large function rooms capacity, they can easily manage to accommodate managed events, in such a way that social distancing, and proper health protocols are strictly implemented.

Aside from the walk-in working costumers who prefer to work-from-hotel, instead of working from their homes, Radisson is slowly gaining business from corporate clients’ mini events utilizing large function rooms with less people.

“We have large function rooms. We charge per person, [not on function room size],” said Buth.

Managed buffet set up is offered based on clients’ request for pocket events.

Seamless and fast internet, quite environment, and other facilities conducive for work are few of the reasons why working professionals prefer to outside like hotels.

Hotel facilities now, he added is flexible. Different packages are also offered, such as installing office space in the lobby and some of the rooms.

For the entire month of February, Radisson Blu Cebu’s Year of the Metal

Ox Chinese Cuisine all-time favorites include; Stir-fried tiger prawns with chili and garlic, Braised mixed mushrooms & broccoli with superior sauce and Shaosing wine, Szechuan style marinated beef with black pepper sauce, Spicy Szechuan style chicken with cashew nuts and water chestnuts, Hainanese chicken with ginger, soy and spring onions, Braised pork gua bao, and Marinated jelly fish salad among many others. Menu prices start at P300 with a generous portion for sharing.