Radisson Blu Hotel to boost Cebu's MICE market niche

CEBU, Philippines – The opening of the first Radisson Blu Hotel in Asia Pacific in Cebu is seen to strengthen the province's niche in Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) market with the opening of its 400-room accommodation facility.

Developed by the SM Investments Corporation (SMIC), the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu, which will be managed by the hospitality and travel company Carlson Hotels, will be the first Radisson Blu hotel in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The opening of the first Radisson Blu hotel in Asia Pacific is a major milestone. More hotels that are under development and in operation in the region will also become Radisson Blu hotels, as we deploy the brand globally," said Jean-Marc Busato managing director for Carlson Hotels, Asia Pacific.

The world-class hotel facility is set to open commercial this coming September 27, providing not only additional 400 room accommodation, but also facilities for the promising local and foreign MICE markets.

The SM Group, through SMIC invested about P2.5 billion to rehabilitate the structure which was originally built supposedly for an another hotel management partner.

Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu will offer state-of -the-art meeting facilities and the most extensive in professional meetings and conference planning services. A natural choice for MICE events, the hotel will feature two spectacular, spacious and contemporary ballrooms, as well as 10 multi-purpose meeting rooms.

The prominent and striking pillar-free Santa Maria Grand Ballroom measures 1,200 square meters and has an 8 meter high ceiling, and comes with its own dedicated top-of-the-range audiovisual equipment room.

It can accommodate up to 1,200 persons and is complemented by a highly versatile pre-function area spanning 400 square meters with direct access to a VIP holding room. Meanwhile, the Niña Ballroom measuring 780 square meters with a five meter high ceiling will sit up to 650 persons. Both ballrooms come equipped with the latest technology, including ceiling-mounted LCD and drop down screens.

Business and meeting planners will moreover be spoilt for choice with up to 10 meeting rooms, ranging in sizes that accommodate 10 to 80 persons, depending on the preferred set-up. Each of these rooms will open up to a central meeting plaza for Great Breaks, a new food and beverage service concept with the hotel offering only the freshest of morning and afternoon refreshments.

"Our vision is to be a leader in the Philippines' tourism and real estate sectors, and this hotel opening further strengthens our standing in the industry," said Elizabeth T. Sy, president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation.

According to Sy, Radisson is an established, iconic brand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, being recognized for delivering market leading guest satisfaction and achieving superor Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) penetration.

"We are pleased to be to leverage on Carlson's hotel management and branding expertise to set similar benchmarks for the hospitality industry in the Philippines," Sy added.

The US-based Carlson Hotels is currently present in over 1,075 locations in 75 countries.

Aside from Radisson, the hotel also owns brands like the Country Inns and Suites by Carlson, Park Inn and Park Plaza. (FREEMAN)