Hilton Cebu director for operations Stefano Ruzza said 90 percent of the resort-hotel’s 246 rooms are reserved by Japanese delegates to the Asean summit.
“Some (members) of the Japanese delegation, who were here during the Asean BIS (Business and Investment Summit), were happy with the hotel’s services which is why we think they have increased their staff for the actual summit,” Ruzza said in an interview last Saturday.
200 rooms
The hotel earlier allocated about 200 rooms for the Asean summit.
The rest of Hilton’s rooms were allocated for non-Asean bookings.
Samuel Gacos, Hilton’s director for sales and marketing, said that as early as Jan. 5 some members of the organizing committee from Japan have started to arrive.
“For us the Asean has just begun,” he said.
Ruzza said the increase in the Japanese delegation this month has not affected the hotel’s previous bookings as guests were already informed of the summit’s postponement.
Enough time
“We had enough time to advise them that the summit was moved to January. And considering the things they have to deal with regarding the summit like re-routings, security check-up, etcetera, it was a natural move for them to reschedule,” he said.
He added that January is normally a peak season for the hotel, with more foreign guests and balikbayans (overseas Filipinos coming home) who wish to participate in the Sinulog festivities.
Meanwhile, Gacos said he is optimistic Hilton will grab a huge market among the Japanese after the Asean summit.
“The Japanese market share in Cebu is big and we will take our hosting their delegation as a positive sign for the hotel to lure more (Japanese) tourists,” he said.
Ruzza said the increase in the number of Japanese summit delegates who are booked at Hilton is already a good start for the hotel this year.
He said Cebu’s hosting the Asean summit will also be beneficial for the local hotel and resort industry in general.
“The summit fever is back and this will bring Cebu in the spotlight once again,” he said.
The National Government earlier said it had to postpone the Asean summit in December because of a typhoon that was to hit Cebu. (MMM)
