From Face to Face to Meeting in Space: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Events Industry in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic placed global restrictions on human action, behaviour and movement, with crucial impacts on the meetings and events industry. This was a significant niche market for Trinidad and Tobago, which recorded 57,000 business and convention visitors in 2018, while its Carnival attracted 35,560 tourists. Closure of its borders to international travel had an immediate negative impact on national strategy to become the Caribbean conference and convention capital, by endangering one designated component: meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE). Several measures were implemented, including lockdowns, social and physical distancing and restricting gatherings to fewer than ten people. That brought MICE to a halt. Revival of the industry required new consideration of venue locations and size, health protocols, virtual events and greater reliance on technology.