The Covid-19 pandemic has relatively spared Germany. According to the latest figures, Germany and France are close on the heels of each other, with around 225,000 infections. But the mortality rate in Germany is almost four times lower than in France, with 9,300 deaths to date. This probably explains the more flexible decontamination rules, which are the responsibility of the Länder.
In Berlin, for example, restaurants and bars have returned to near-normal activity since May. At the same time, the "capacity" for gatherings has been gradually increased. From 150 people indoors and 200 outdoors at the start of June, the limit has now risen to 500 and 1,000 people respectively. From September 2, the limit will rise to 750 people indoors, rising to 1,000 by early October. For outdoor meetings, it will once again be possible to accommodate 5,000 participants from September.
This greater flexibility is likely to boost conferences and trade fairs in the German capital. Especially as the organisers have the support of the Berlin Convention Office.
Berlin, a pioneering post-covid MICE destination
The Convention Bureau has set up a fully-fledged covid-19 structure. It organises online seminars in English to explain the hygiene protocols applied when organising events. The Convention Office and the Berlin Tourist Office have also developed a guide to apply measures offering a high level of health safety. The protocol has been approved by the Berlin regional government.
More than anywhere else, Berlin feels ready to face up to the post-Covid business world and to adapt its rather exemplary infrastructure for hosting conferences and trade fairs.
A fifth of the megalopolis' total surface area is made up of forests and parks. This makes it ideal for outdoor events and relieves congestion in the capital's busiest locations. What's more, Berlin has a huge number of congress and trade fair facilities. There are more than a dozen major facilities, the legacy of 40 years of West and East Berlin operating independently of each other. The prestigious Humboldt Forum, located in the rebuilt former Hohenzollern Castle, will be added in 2021.
In addition to several exhibition and congress centres, the German capital has seen an incredible boom in its hotel stock over the last ten years, particularly with the development of hotel chains. In 2018, the capital boasted 63 hotel chains operating 103 brands. A total of 43,743 rooms at that date. 64 % of these rooms belonged to international chains.
Covid-19 will certainly leave its mark on Berlin's hotel industry. We should see some capacity adjustments in the hotel sector in the coming weeks, but Berlin has had an overflow of hotels for some time. The closure of certain establishments will therefore restore the balance between supply and demand, without necessarily leading to a shortage of rooms. Or lead to unconscionable price rises.
Financial support for event organisers
In July, the occupancy rate of many hotels did not exceed 25%, leading to the first closures among five-star hotels. The hotel The Regent has still not announced a date for its reopening, after closing its doors in April. The future is also uncertain for the Sofitel Kurfürstendamm. Declared bankrupt in July, it could close its doors for good at the end of this month.
Another factor could encourage more companies to organise a MICE event in Berlin. On July 21, the Berlin Senate approved a financial fund for congresses. It is open to organisers of events taking place in Berlin until the end of the year. The event must have at least 50 participants physically present and take place in a hotel or venue in Berlin. The Convention Bureau also supports sustainable events. Companies interested in applying for this financial support can find all the information they need on the Berlin Convention Office.
