THE vice president of operations and general manager of Bai Hotel Cebu Alfred Reyes was declared the 24th Mabuhay Gold awardee by the Association of Human Resources Managers in the Hospitality Industry (AHRM) during the Awards Night held at the Manila Marriott Hotel on Nov. 18, 2019.

The Mabuhay Awards is an annual service excellence awards program organized by the AHRM. The program aims not only to recognize and reward exemplary staff in the industry, but also upholds outstanding service excellence commitment among the industry professionals.

Last year’s Mabuhay Award carried the theme, “Going Beyond.”

In his more than 30 years of being a hotelier, Reyes now joins the roster of the most notable names in the history of the tourism industry—Mabuhay Gold Awardees that include former tourism secretary Mina Gabor (2000), Sen. Richard Gordon (2001), former tourism undersecretary Evelyn Pantig (2004), taipan Lucio Tan (2005), Arthur Gindap (2007), Vanessa Suatengco (2008) and Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Roberto Laurel (2015).

Humble beginnings

Even during the early years of his career, Reyes always found ways to provide service beyond expectations.

As a young front desk clerk at Cebu Plaza Hotel, Reyes found ways to provide guests with an exceptionally warm welcome and efficient service that were some of Cebu Plaza Hotel’s trademarks.

After three years with Cebu Plaza Hotel, and in constant pursuit of ways to improve himself and to learn more, Reyes left his hometown Cebu to pursue a career in the hospitality industry in Manila. After a decade of learning and gathering experience from the capital city, Reyes returned to Cebu as the general manager of the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino.

The recognition of his exceptional talent did not escape the attention of the international industry players. He was soon offered positions overseas, which he gladly took and excelled in.

Reyes returned to the Philippines and took the reins of Linden Suites under Swiss-Belhotel International.

In all the hotels and businesses he handled, Reyes’ trademark of going beyond excellence left an indelible mark.

He continues to make his mark not only in the businesses he manages but also in the people he works with. Never selfish about sharing his knowledge, Reyes mentors the professionals he works with so that they too, will leave a mark in this industry.

Now as vice president for operations and general manager of Bai Hotel Cebu, Reyes has proved to be steps ahead in ensuring that he and his team provide globally competitive service and amenities.

Even after more than three decades of working in the industry, his passion and his drive to set the bar for service par excellence has not diminished.

With Reyes at the helm of its operations, Bai Hotel Cebu is already considered an industry leader. At two years of operation, Bai Hotel Cebu has established a standard of a holistically sustainable hotel. Not only does it provide outstanding amenities and hospitality to its guests, it also maintains environmental consciousness and sound community service all while providing for a healthy milieu for mentoring its personnel. (PR)