BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, August 5, 2010
2010 has been a year of change for the unassuming landmark property that Radisson Brunei now calls home. Peter Feran, General Manager of Radisson Brunei, shares with The Brunei Times how the change in management has progressed and what the rest of 2010 holds for the new property.

“The transition since taking over from the previous management company has been smooth and the management and staff who have all remained at the hotel, have all worked extremely hard and showed a great deal of enthusiasm during this very busy period,” said Feran.

Ensuring that the conversion and name change on the night of April 30 was critical, he said, as all of the major signage had to be replaced.

“There was a lot of hard work from the various people and companies involved and it went very well, as you may have noticed the very next morning on the first day of becoming a Radisson Hotel all of the large exterior signage had all been replaced before sunrise.”

US-based hotel company Carlson Hotels took over management of the property on May 1, 2010, after a deal was struck to transfer management rights from Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ Sheraton brand.

Sheraton had been managing the property for 29 years (the hotel opened in 1981) but according to Stephen Ong, Managing Director of Hotel Associates, which owns the property, it was time for a change. He was quoted in a previous report as saying the management change resulted as a mutual parting of ways. “In recent years there is a misalignment of interest as to how we can develop this hotel further in terms of upgrading. So, we think it is more in our interest to move on with Carlson under the Radisson brand,” he said.

This will be Radisson’s fourth month operating in the capital of Brunei and Feran was decidedly upbeat on its future in Brunei. “For the remainder of 2010 we will continue to build on the very important relationships with the various companies, travel agents and local community throughout Brunei to ensure that they become familiar with the Radisson Brand and what we have to offer,” he said.

The property will also be completing some of the upgrades and refurbishments that they have planned for public areas such as the all-day dining restaurant Tasek Brasserie, fine dining restaurant Deals, the kitchen, lobby area as well as the exterior of the building and last but not least, high speed wireless internet.

Radisson is also looking forward to 2011 said Feran, with plans for the next phase of their refurbishments which includes guest rooms, suites and the Club Floor. He was also optimistic of the upcoming fasting month which normally sees businesses slowly down for month of Ramadhan.

“I’m looking forward to showing what the Radisson has to offer and what the brand is all about,” he said, adding that he is not anticipating any drop in occupancy with the upcoming month of Ramadan.

“We are seeing this as an opportunity to showcase our buffet restaurant and service during this very important time of year for the local community.” The property is currently experiencing occupancy levels around 50-55 per cent, which Feran said, is what they expected at this stage.

When asked if local staff had adapted well to the change in service philosophy, Feran said he was extremely happy with how the staff and management had adapted to and embraced the service cultures of Radisson. “They have all been very enthusiastic about the great changes that have taken place in the hotel with many more to come in the future.

The Brunei Times

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