Events in the post-pandemic world

The meetings industry, a key source of income for hotels, has seen a significant change in the way business is done

SUNIL NARANG GENERAL MANAGER - FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MUMBAI

Almost a year into the Covid-19 pandemic and everyone in our industry has witnessed some kind of event getting either cancelled or postponed. From weddings to MICE conferences, from exhibitions to celebrations, no gathering has been impervious to the risks that continue to be posed by the pandemic.

In India, much of the hospitality, tourism, and events sector came to a grinding halt in March. Since then, everybody’s attention and quite rightly so has been on alleviating concerns around health and safety, and offering solutions rooted in empathy and care. By Q4 of 2020, events had resumed the world over, albeit with much precaution and safety nets in place. Social events like weddings and ancillary events are the ones driving the pace and we’re gradually seeing the demand returning for in-person events.