BORACAY – Yesterday, Henann Group of Resorts, the country’s largest home-grown resort group, celebrated its 25th anniversary on this globally-renowned holiday island. The group’s journey began humbly in Boracay, blossoming into one of the Philippines’ most successful luxury resort operators.
Dr. Henry O. Chusuey, Group Chairman, spearheaded the anniversary celebration, hosting cocktails and dinner for esteemed guests and business partners.
Notables in attendance included former Senate President Franklin Drilon and former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
The occasion also marked a significant transition for Henann Group. Dr. Chusuey announced his forthcoming “retirement from management,” intending to pass the leadership reins to his children.
Alfonso Louis currently serves as the resort group’s president, with Karl Hendrik overseeing sales and serving as the vice president for marketing. Meanwhile, Christina Ann, an accounting graduate like Dr. Chusuey, plays a pivotal role at their Iloilo head office, focusing on accounting.
The business magnate initiated the Henann Group of Resorts in 1998 following a trip to Boracay. His endeavor commenced with the Boracay Regency Beach Resort, a Mediterranean-themed haven presently recognized as the Henann Regency Resort & Spa – the very location of yesterday’s festivities.
Under Dr. Chusuey’s visionary guidance and unwavering commitment, Henann Group has burgeoned, operating premium resorts not only in Boracay but also in Bohol and Palawan. The group also harbors expansion plans targeting other coveted tourist locations within the nation.
By this December, Dr. Chusuey shared, the Henann Group will boast approximately 2,600 rooms, a significant leap from the modest 43 rooms they began with a quarter-century ago.
During the anniversary dinner, Dr. Chusuey expressed deep gratitude towards his business partners, stakeholders, and employees.
“Without them, Henann’s 25-year legacy wouldn’t exist,” he underscored.
In his commitment to bolstering the nation’s economy, Dr. Chusuey emphasized that Henann Group exclusively employs Filipinos and solely invests within the Philippines. He consistently prioritizes exceptional service, ensuring that guests receive value for money.
For Dr. Chusuey, the endeavor goes beyond business – it’s fundamentally about economic upliftment. “Expansion yields jobs, contributes to tax revenue, and stimulates the wider economy,” the hotelier once commented.
Asked about the key to his success, Dr. Chusuey shared there’s no cryptic formula, just pure, dedicated hard work. He’s instilled this ethos in his children, who have been integral to the Henann Group’s operations for many years.
Former Senator Drilon lauded Dr. Chusuey’s resilience and unwavering faith in Filipino potential, particularly highlighting the Group’s survival and growth despite the devastating impact of the COVID pandemic on the tourism sector.
Former Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores hailed Dr. Chusuey as “a man of vision.” He reminisced about the challenges Boracay faced when Dr. Chusuey made his initial investment in 1998, emphasizing the magnate’s foresight in recognizing the island’s potential. That year, the island was facing two crises – coliform bacteria in the island’s seawaters and the Asean financial crisis.
“And the rest is history. (The) forty-three rooms (of Hennan Group) have now grown to some 1,600 rooms (in Boracay),” said Miraflores.
In addition to his business acumen, Dr. Chusuey is a recognized philanthropist. Among various charitable acts, his group and the Boracay Foundation, which he chaired during Boracay’s six-month rehabilitation in 2018, donated essential supplies to affected families.
He also generously donated a building to his alma mater, the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City./PN