Aussie named Radisson general manager

RADISSON will be making its Brunei debut with a new face at the helm, and new facilities to bring it in line with the hotel's brand image, Carlson Hotels yesterday said.

Peter Feran, an Australian national, was appointed as general manager of the 142-room property on March 17, the firm said in a statement.

Radisson will officially take over the current location of the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Bandar on May 1, bringing a new competitor to the nation's hospitality industry.

The hotel's refurbishment programme will include public areas and guest facilities, including 130 standard rooms, 10 junior suites, an executive suite and a presidential suite, according to a previous interview with Jean-Marc Busato, managing director for Asia-Pacific, Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

The opening of the property supports Carlson's plan to add another 250 hotels globally in key target markets and emerging markets such as Brunei, over the next five years, as part of the company's "Ambition 2015" strategy.

Feran has almost two decades of international hospitality experience in hotels throughout Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom. Prior to his latest appointment, he was the hotel manager at Radisson Plaza Hotel, Sydney, a heritage-listed property that has become as much a landmark as its location.

"We needed a strong leader with extensive experience and an exceptional property performance record to bring the full Radisson brand experience to our guests in Brunei, which is also a new market for us. Peter's experience in all facets of hotel operations will be a key strength as we continue to grow the Radisson brand in Asia", said Busato in a statement.

As one of the worlds leading brands, Radisson is being positioned to deliver vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality characterised by its "Yes I Can!" service philosophy, which came into effect in 1995. The hotel brand also implemented a "100 per cent Guest Satisfaction Guarantee" soon after, driven by its desire to emphasise its service culture as a "way of life".

The Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam will be located in the centre of Brunei's commerce, finance and government district.

Radisson is one of the world's leading global brands.

Carlson Hotels is a leading global hotel company with more than 1,060 locations in 77 countries. Its brands include Regent, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn. Carlson Hotels is part of Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company. Ying Chia

The Brunei Times