TOP executives of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, the operator of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, were in Cebu yesterday to supervise the hotel’s preparation for the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit this August and September.
Paul Moxness, vice president for corporate safety and security at Carlson Rezidor said they are “well-pleased” with the hotel’s extensive preparation for the summit as far as safety and security.
“We are really extremely pleased with the outcome. Even the Apec National Organizing Committee is pleased with the hotel’s readiness. The management has been consistently in touch and in dialogue with local authorities to ensure that right measures are in place for the upcoming summit,” said Moxness in a press conference yesterday.
Nishan Silva, general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu noted that on top of providing Apec delegates with a wonderful hotel experience during their stay here, ensuring safety and security is a top concern.
“It’s not that we are afraid. But when we have the eyes of the world (on us), a little thing will become a big thing,” said Moxness.
Radisson Blu is working closely with local authorities like the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire and Protection and Department of Health to ensure the safety and security of the delegates, as well as the hotel’s operations, especially during the summit.
“For sure, the delegates will also bring with them their personal security, so we are also taking that into account and how we can seamlessly work or coordinate with them with the measures we have in place here,” said Silva.
Of the four big ministerial Apec meetings happening in Cebu, the Radisson Blu will get to host two of these meetings and two confirmed dinners.
Nishan said they expect at least 3,000 delegates to join the summit here. The hotel, he added, is already getting bookings from 21 economies.
Aside from readiness on safety and security, Silva disclosed that the hotel has teamed up with its sister hotel, Park Inn Davao by Radisson to ensure the staff requirement is sufficient during these meetings.
Likewise, the hotel has also started procuring Halal-certified food for their Halal-certified kitchen.
“We are well ahead of the planning stage,” said Silva.
Sandy Russell, vice president for commercial operations of Carlson Rezidor Group-Asia Pacific noted that Radisson Blu’s hosting of the Apec Summit is an opportunity to be known globally and introduce Cebu as a destination to the rest of the world.
As Apec 2015 Chair, the Philippines will host the third Apec Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM3) from August 22 to Sept. 6, 2015 in Cebu.
As the last comprehensive Senior Officials’ Meeting before the Apec Leaders’ Summit in November, SOM3 will have an intensive 16-day meeting schedule. Committees and working groups are expected to continue discussions and initiatives from SOM2, such as Apec’s connectivity, services and MSME agenda, Internet economy, urbanization, and work towards the realization of a free trade area of the Asia-Pacific.
Immediately after SOM3, the Philippines will host the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting (SRMM) on Sept. 7 and 8 and the Finance Ministerial Meeting (FMM) on Sept. 10 and 11. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Finance (DOF) will lead the SRMM and FMM, respectively.