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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Hospitality superstars

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Acacia Hotel Manila general manager Bobby Horrigan was named as one of the Philippines’ ‘hospitality superstars’, a title bestowed by a book author on a group of talented executives in the accommodation sector.

Acacia Hotel Manila general manager Bobby Horrigan.

The book with the same title, written by hospitality and tourism expert Vic Alcuaz, features 10 of the country’s leading hoteliers who have made a mark in the industry not only locally but also globally.

Vic Alcuaz, a hospitality head hunter, trainer and consultant, named 20 hospitality superstars.

“The hospitality industry in the Philippines is filled with some of the best, highly productive, and passionate stars at all levels. This industry continues to grow at a steady rate of 5 percent annually, contributing to the over-all economic performance of the country, which grew by 7 percent in 2012, second only to China in this region,” Alcuaz says.

Among the ‘hospitality superstars’ in Alcuaz’s list is Horrigan, an industry executive known for his passion for Filipino hospitality. He was awarded the 17th Mabuhay Gold Award, an honor which is annually given to the ‘best hotelier’ by the Association of Human Resources Managers.

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Vic Alcuaz’s book titled Hospitality Superstars

His hotel and restaurant education began at the age of 19 when he studied at Les Roches in Switzerland. After his studies, he became a part of the opening team of the first six-star hotel, Grand Hyatt Hotel in Hong Kong.

Job opportunities called him back to the Philippines wherein he worked for Pan Pacific, Olympia Suites and HSAI Raintree. He first served as general manager of Discovery Suites and then as vice president of HSAI Raintree.

Horrigan is known for his works for small luxury hotels wherein he successfully elevated the levels of personalized service. After years of leading different hotels, he and good friend Jack Tuason took the leap and successfully opened their very own management company- Enderun Hospitality.

To date, they are working with nine properties, Acacia Hotel Manila being their very first property it manages.

In the book, Horrigan shares his colorful journey including the challenges he encountered and the people who have inspired and helped him on the way up.

He has 10 tips on becoming a successful hotelier, focusing on the importance of passion.

“Love what you do and work will be like entertainment. At the start and end of the day, don’t forget to thank God. Let him be the center of everything,” he says.

Horrigan, who believes in the potential of Philippines tourism, has this fearless forecast. “I say 20 million tourists in 2020,” he says, referring to the international visitor arrivals.

Aside from Horrigan, other superstars in Alcuaz’s list are Alfred Reyes, chief operating officer of Quantuvis Resources Corp., which owns Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila in Ortigas; Vanessa Suatengco, general manager of Diamond Hotel; Leticia Delarmente, dean of School of Hotel & Restaurant Institution Management at De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde; and Gueul Auste, director of human resources of New World Makati City Manila Hotel.

Completing the list are Peggy Angeles, senior vice president for operations of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.; Arthur Gindap, area general manager of Ascott Limited; Ed Vitug, general manager of The Bayleaf Instramuros; Merill Yu, chief executive of Y&S Hospitality Consultants and managing director of GHM Hotels Philippines; and Martin de Castro, program manager for food and beverage of Shangri La Academy.

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