The pace of the UK’s vaccine rollout is making London a ‘safer bet’ for international meetings and events planners, according to the city’s convention bureau.
And as the vaccine rollout creates a path to safe recovery, London’s meetings and events industry is getting ready to reopen with a host of new hotel openings and venue refurbishments underway.
Tracy Halliwell, director of conventions and major events at London Convention Bureau, told our sister title M&IT: “We’re already seeing a response to the UK’s vaccination programme that has been picked up by international buyers. ‘You’re the place we’re going to come to, our delegates will feel safer with you’, that’s what they’re saying.
“There’s so much uncertainty for planners at the moment, so many variables, so they’re looking for surety and confidence. They see the UK as a destination where they’re not going to put delegates at risk. You compare that to destinations that haven’t been as quick and we are coming up as a safer bet at the moment.”
With the return of international events unlikely until 2022, in the interim, the bureau will be doing more work helping the domestic market.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in enquiries, there’s huge pent-up demand”, says Halliwell. “Everybody’s desperate to get out and our venues are itching to get back. We’re working with everybody to open that up as quickly as we can.
“London’s one of those cities that never stands still. The number of hotel projects still in the pipeline, it’s wonderful. Every time I go into the centre there’s a new building, or something I didn’t know was coming.
“When people do get back there’s a lot more scope, new stuff, old faithfuls, hybrid-ready venues – something for everyone.” And hybrid is going to be part of the new normal, Halliwell believes.
“It will be popular with big associations, reaching larger numbers over large geographical areas,” she said. “There will also be all the meetings that will come back face to face because they have to. You’re not meeting people, making new connections, having those meetings that further the world of progress.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
