Despite smaller scale, Barcelona relieved at return of telecoms gathering
Barcelona recalls the cancellation of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February 2020 as the first sign that COVID-19 was a genuine, immediate cause for concern: per month before almost all of the world locked down.
Sixteen months later, the Spanish city sees the return of the gross annual telecoms industry gathering - albeit in a much pared-down version - as cause for hope, as vaccination rates accelerate and Europe seems to be needs to leave the worst of the pandemic behind.
Holding the Congress is "absolutely a step forward", John Hoffman, CEO of MWC organizing body GSMA, told Reuters on Friday. "It's the reopening of business."
The Mobile, as it is also called, could be the first big technology conference staged in Europe since the pandemic began and can run from June 28 to July 1.
Hoffman expects the amount of attendees will range between 30,000 and 40,000 - a long way off from the a lot more than 100,000 who flocked to the last edition in 2019, which GSMA estimated gave Barcelona a US$500 million boost.
This year, GSMA has introduced a number of health measures.
A recently available negative COVID-19 test, face masks and a digital badge will be asked to access the venue, while a contact-tracing software will track any infections.
Barcelona's deputy mayor Jaume Collboni said metropolis was not concerned about potential MWC-related coronavirus outbreaks as other events, though smaller, have taken place recently and infections have plummeted in Spain.
For the tourism-dependent city - hit hard by the collapse of international visitors and the fear that the MWC could move elsewhere - the return is a welcome relief.
"Simply holding (the MWC) is a success," said Collboni. "It is rather important to send a double message: the location is reactivating and can continue fighting to become a leader in the technology sector".
Barcelona hotel owner Josep Maria Malagarriga was optimistic on the sector's recovery despite MWC's official agency only booking 11 hotels this season, when it would normally contract over 400.
Occupancy for Monday at his Hotel Continental Palacete is at 50per cent and with prices still considerably below usual rates, he said.
The industry hopes that year's event, with plans split between physical, virtual, and hybrid activities, will provide a blueprint for future business gatherings.
GSMA CEO Hoffman added he was confident next February's edition - to be held during MWC's regular slot - will be bigger as "folks have a have to be together".
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
