Alfred Reyes, Cebuano hotelier, passes away
CEBU CITY, Philippines — One of Cebu’s most notable figures in the hospitality industry has passed away.
Alfred Reyes, hotelier and general manager of Mandaue-based bai Hotel, has died, the hotel management confirmed on Thursday, May 7. He was 58 years old.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Vice President for Operations and General Manager, Alfred Reyes,” bai Hotel wrote in a statement.
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“More than a leader, GM Alfred was a guiding force whose passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment helped shape bai Hotel Cebu into the home it is today,” they added.
His cause of death has yet to be disclosed publicly.
“We humbly ask for prayers and privacy for his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the management of bai Hotel said.
Seasoned hotelier
Many knew Reyes for leading bai Hotel since 2016. But before his stint in the five-star hotel complex in Mandaue City, he had amassed an impressive list of experiences not only in Cebu but also overseas.
His career in the hospitality industry began at college.
Reyes, a native of Cebu City, graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. Fresh from graduation, he initially applied as a flight steward for the flag carrier Philippine Airlines.
However, life had different plans for the young Reyes. In 1988, he got a job working at the front office of Cebu Plaza Hotel, according to an entry in Vic Alcuaz’s Hospitality Superstars book.
There, he worked his way through the ranks. His fluency in Chinese also helped propel him to advance his career, including pursuing further studies at the prestigious Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
After gaining more experience, knowledge, and skills in hotel management, Reyes eventually moved abroad and found himself joining big players in the Asia-Pacific region.
These include the Grand Formosa Regent Taipei, the Jakarta Hilton, Hyatt, The Westin Philippine Plaza, The Bayview Park Hotel, The Pan Pacific Hotel, The Linden Suites Manila, to name a few.
Just five years after returning to Cebu, Reyes became the president of the Hotel Resort and Restaurants Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI), the largest organization composed of hospitality players here.
His leadership in the group had been a colorful one.
Reyes’ tenure came at a time when the sector faced challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic, a turbulent time for hotels and resorts in tourism-reliant Cebu.
Legacy
Beyond his stellar career, many want to remember Reyes as the kind and warm leader he was — one who reflects the true essence of the industry he belonged to.
“As we mourn this tremendous loss, we honor the legacy he leaves behind-one of excellence, compassion, and genuine hospitality,” bai Hotel stated.
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