PROFILESThe business of luxuryBy Michelle San Juan-De Vera“We intend to build a uniqueconnection with all our guests aswe create an experience that willmake them keep coming back.”14 Collective / Issue 8
PROFILESIIt was 2005 when Mr. Daesik Han, theChief Executive Officer and President ofHann Development Corporation first setfoot in Clark, Pampanga where he envisionedsetting up his own business in the area.Hotel choices at the Clark Freeport Zonewere very limited then that Han endedup staying in a small hotel somewhere innearby Angeles City. Disappointed with theamenities and quality of service, Han sawthis as a business opportunity. He beganstudying Clark as a location for investment,and saw its strengths, possibilities, andchallenges.The visionHan, a Korean businessman, knew whereto look for opportunities; and Clark fit thevision he had in mind. Being a Freeport zone,Clark was the perfect location for Han havingplanned to set-up a fully foreign-ownedcompany.Having its own airport is also one of theClark’s main advantages, said Han. TheClark International Airport (CRK), formerlyknown as Diosdado Macapagal InternationalAirport (DMIA), provides daily direct flightsto and from Korea making it very accessibleto Korean tourists and investors.Back then, he already envisioned theAirport’s possible expansion and whenthat time comes, more tourists from otherneighboring countries will come to Clark. “Ihave always believed the Clark InternationalAirport will undergo expansion in the futurewhich is what’s happening now.”The expansion of the Clark InternationalAirport is targeted to be finished midyear.It will be able to accommodate 12million passengers annually once it startsoperations.Another business-conducive element thatHan saw was the population of Englishspeakinglocals, making Clark a perfectlocation for a hotel business. For him,people is key to a successful business.Han set up his hotel business in 2006which he branded as “WIDUS” originatingfrom the play phrase “With Us” that connotesunity, connection, link or bond. “We intend tobuild a unique connection with all our guestsas we create an experience that will makethem keep coming back,” Han said.Widus Hotel has since been known as oneof the pioneer premier leisure destinations inClark.Expanding horizonsSetting up Widus Hotel was only thebeginning of Han’s story in Clark. Hewitnessed the fruits of his labor, with Widuscontinuously thriving from its high occupancyrate to its increasing foot traffic, especiallyduring holidays and long weekends.As Clark evolved into a sports, tourism andbusiness destination, Han knew he had toexpand his investment.In 2018, he opened Clark’s first five-starhotel, after successfully franchising theinternational hotel chain brand Marriott—adding to his company’s portfolio in thehospitality sector in Central Luzon.According to Han, setting up a businessinside Clark is easy and simple compared toother locations in the country. But just likeany other business, once it is operational andrunning, that’s when the real challenge comesin.“Nothing is forever. We’ve been doingvery good (Widus and Marriott) but it’s noguarantee that we are going to perform thiswell over 10, 20, or 30 years. It’s impossible.”Han said.But Han is a very hands-on businessman.A typical day for him includes checking onthe operations of his hotels, meetings withthe managers and staff, and making surethat guests and clients get the best customerexperience during their stay.Han believes that the way to makebusinesses thrive longer is to never becomfortable with the successes of today. Hanconstantly plans for the future in order togrow and evolve his business.Collective / Issue 815
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