Sure, the pandemic was an absolute dumpster fire for everyone. But if we’re talking about industries hit hardest by Covid-19, the hospitality and tourism sector bore the full brunt.
Fortunately, things are looking up. Vaccines are progressively rolling out, and lockdowns are getting lifted across the world. Staycations, now becoming more of a necessity to stave off cabin fever, have given Singapore’s tourism industry the big boost needed to recover. Innovative new ways and new tech are being utilised to keep hotel guests safe until the outbreak eventually blows over.
The roles and responsibilities of hoteliers, too, have evolved—now they’d need diverse skillsets for an economy that puts digitalisation and sustainability as prime concerns.
Actor to Wedding Planner: Ensuring Harmony in Ceremony
How does a wedding look like in a pandemic? Actress Munah Bagharib takes us to Oasia Hotel and tries her hand at planning a grand wedding with events planner Karen Chua. There, she finds out what goes on behind the scenes to plan an event of a lifetime — all while ensuring everyone stays safe.
Posted by Rice Media on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Take the job of event planners, for one. How would a hotel wedding look like while the world recovers from a viral outbreak? Actress Munah Bagharib takes us to Oasia Hotel and tries her hand at planning a grand wedding with events planner Karen Chua. There, the host finds out what actually happens behind the scenes to plan an event of a lifetime — all while ensuring everyone stays safe.
Comedian to Concierge: The “Swiss Army Knife” of lyf@Funan
Stand-up comedian Rishi Budhrani meets Justin Chan, a lyf Guard (Concierge) at lyf@Funan, to see if he could make a good concierge himself. Together, they educate us on how the traditional role has evolved in this day and age, where one would need to wear different hats to deliver the best service.
Posted by Rice Media on Monday, March 22, 2021
As for hotel concierges, the role now goes beyond just booking transportation and making restaurant reservations. Stand-up comedian Rishi Budhrani met up with Justin Chan, a lyf Guard at lyf@Funan, to find out if he could make a good concierge himself. Together, they educate us on how the traditional role has evolved in today’s day and age, where one would need to wear different hats to deliver the best service. And yes, that includes dancing for TikTok videos.
Competitive Eater to Hotel Chef: An Appetite for Food Sustainability
We follow professional eater Zermatt Neo as he trades his huge appetite for a stint in the kitchen with Chef Wong, Fairmont Hotel’s Executive Chef. There, he learns what it takes to cook in a professional, sustainability-focused kitchen with a secret farm.
Posted by Rice Media on Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Even kitchen employees aren’t spared from reshaped responsibilities. We turn the tables on professional eater Zermatt Neo as he trades his huge appetite for a stint in the kitchen with Chef Wong, Fairmont Hotel’s Executive Chef. There, he learns what it takes to cook in a professional kitchen with a secret farm for ultra-fresh and super-sustainable ingredients.
Clearly, the world has changed and so must the hospitality industry. Barring any further unexpected hiccups (touch wood), 2021 will get better for everyone involved—from hotel workers eager for normalcy to the public at large itching for getaways. For the rest of the year, hygiene, health standards and social distancing will continue to loom large. So it’s good to know that the business of happiness now encompasses all that too.
This piece is brought to you by the Singapore Hotel Association in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board.
Found some sweet staycation spots around town? Drop your recommendations at community@ricemedia.co.
