Puebla, Pue. Due to school graduations, party hall owners expected to finalize 70% of the dates for June and July; however, they barely reach 40% on average compared to what they achieved before the covid-19 pandemic.
Daniel Pérez Varela, president of the Pueblan Association of Social Halls and Gardens for Events (Apsaje), who represents more than 1,500 businesses of this type, commented that expectations have not been met, perhaps because parents still see it as a strong expense at this time when there are other priorities.
He said that they were one of the last sectors to be able to reopen 100% as of last January, since before they only worked at half capacity to comply with sanitary restrictions.
He indicated that, despite offering promotions for the organization of graduation dinners, school directors did not make the quick decision to present this offer to parents and, therefore, they are only carrying out the document delivery ceremonies.
Faced with such a situation, he considered that it brings an affectation to the party halls that operate in the Angelopolis and its metropolitan area, which in total generate 20,000 direct jobs between waiters, cooks, security guards, administrative, as well as indirect personnel that complements the services, such as party planners, food and beverage producers, musical groups, make-up artists, florists and rental companies.
Pérez Varela highlighted that this industry in high seasons, such as school graduations and during the end of the year, generated income of up to 180 million pesos.
He indicated that, of ten events that they had for graduations, before the pandemic, now they only have four hired on average and only a few have five.
In this vein, he reiterated that many businessmen, out of necessity, relaxed their costs in order to return to work, although expenses for electricity and water services did not fall, as well as the hiring of personnel for banquets.
“With the events that began to take place there is a minimal recovery, but the important thing was to return or close permanently, since for many families it was their modus vivendi to have income from parties on weekends,” he deepened.
He considered that it will be until next year when better numbers are seen and that schools resume this type of activities at 100%, previously agreed with parents.
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