Bringing the best of service
CHoiCeS We have stopped buffets at our hotels for now; in banquets we are offering various options
Vikas Ahluwalia, GM & National Head, Zone by THE Park Hotels shares how they are focusing on the health, well-being and wellness of their guests amidst the pandemic
How are you preparing for M!CE activities in the new normal?
In the new normal a drop for face-to-face meetings is anticipated with more demand for high-quality integrated-hybrid-virtuallive streamed meetings as well as events.
We have put in place various protocols as advised by the relevant authorities and incorporated it in SHIELD, an abbreviated form for S: Sanitisation, H: Hygiene, I: ISO Standard Equipment, E: Excellence, L: Luxury Redefined, and D: Distancing. This is an allencompassing programme that brings the best of luxury, design, hygiene, safety and service excellence, all under one roof. As health-wellbeing-wellness
has become a top priority for travellers we have incorporated the same in our menus and guest offerings
Do you have different rules/guidelines for large groups and small ones? The guidelines are the same – strict precautionary safety and heightened hygiene and sanitation practices.
We have implemented measures at all our hotels along with steps to assuage the concerns of people about busy public areas due to the nature of the virus.
Will you be continuing with buffets? What precautions will you take for food service?
We have stopped buffets at our hotels for now, but in banquets we are offering various options for our guests to choose from – interactive cooking station, meal on a plate, etc. However, if guests particularly require buffets then we have laid down SOPs for the same.
What steps will you take if someone tests positive for corona in a M!CE group? We have laid down SOPs, guidelines in our SHIELD programme for someone who tests positive in our hotels. We work closely with local health authorities and take necessary steps as per the local guidelines.
Are you looking at the Indian wedding market as well? What is going to be different in the new normal?
Weddings are a critical part of our social space and will keep happening though with certain changes. We have hosted few small weddings as permitted by the administration across our hotels immediately after the restrictions were removed post the lockdown.
As of now, we are working with our partners and service providers to follow safety protocols and are also offering customised packages.
A panel discussion conducted by 1524 Delhi recently brought some wedding planners together who shared their perspectives on how this segment is likely to unfold vandana mohan
founder, wedding design Company & backstage Productions Destination weddings will take a backseat this year and the segment will eventually see a V-shaped recovery. Indians are resilient and are risk-takers, and I'm sure that when the demand returns, it will be back with a flood. For now, we are not encouraging our clients to travel much. If they do want to travel, we advise them to travel either to driving distances or do a charter for a group. Also, we convey to them that they must travel within
India, if possible. What hotels must look at meanwhile is to conduct virtual tours for planners and list down the specifications that are available for them to use during an event. This usually gets missed out.