‘Eliminate fear of Covid for success of resort biz’

Vishal Sareen, managing director of Festyn Era and Festyn Royale resorts, says weddings have been a robust driving force for the economy. His family has been into the event management of weddings for the past nearly 45 years. In an interview with Neeraj Bagga, he urges the government to initiate steps to dispel the fear of Covid-19 among people so that they can start thinking of organising marriage functions. Excerpts:

How has the lockdown impacted your business?

As many as 150 marriage functions scheduled to take place in my two resorts between March 23 and May 30 were cancelled. Wedding functions are a major source of revenue generation and many trades such as banqueting, dairy, floral business, boutiques and saloons depend on marriage events.

Do you expect resumption of your business in the near future?

The government has allowed a gathering of not beyond 50 persons at an event, which is insufficient for the progress of the business as each resort is spread in acres. For the time being, a gathering of not more than 200 persons with all precautions and norms should be allowed. We have to postpone the opening of the third resort in October.

How are you dealing with the issue of paying salaries to workers?

I have retained my all employees and paid them salaries. However, workers from Bengal involved in the installation of tents, cooks from Uttarakhand and waiters from Nepal have left for homes.

What lessons have you learnt from the lockdown as a businessman?

I have learnt that one must never put entire money in a trade. I have been reinvesting to extend the family business as the third resort is under construction. This taught me that there should be diversification in choices of business.

Do you consider the current crisis as a challenge or an opportunity?

It is definitely a challenge. It is difficult to eliminate fear from the minds of people. On my part, I ensure that hygienic measures such as sanitisation of each person and commodities are followed.

What are your expectations from the government?

The government should make efforts to eradicate fear among people. Thereafter, people will start planning marriage functions.