The recession does not seem to be having any negative effect on how people are planning to ring in 2017. Officials at popular hotels said scores of people are lining up to book rooms for New Year’s Eve fetes and calling to reserve tables at their restaurants.
Radisson Hotel Trinidad’s revolving restaurant, which can hold 150 people, is almost sold out for its annual New Year’s Eve fete, Sales and Marketing Manager, Sunil May, told the T&T Guardian yesterday.
Further, there are lines of people at Radisson’s counter waiting to pay US$130 for a room for the night.
Hilton Trinidad’s Jamboree hotline has been ringing off the hook as dozens are calling to book tickets for its annual party.
“Based on the calls to the Jamboree hotline, I would say we are doing pretty well,” director Shawn Wong said.
Tickets for parties at both hotels are more or less the same as last year. A ticket for a New Year’s Eve party at Hilton Trinidad is $700 and at Radisson, $600.
Hyatt Regency will not be having a party this year due to renovation works at the building.
Wong said the recession has impacted the Hilton because of the introduction of seven per cent online tax and other increased prices.
He said the hotel normally imported party hats, noisemakers and other paraphernalia for its New Year’s Eve party. In addition, they had to pay more for transport and drinks since fuel and alcohol prices increased in the last budget.
Wong said in order to secure its market, the hotel decided to absorb some of the extra costs and accept a smaller profit margin. Hilton has been staging New Year’s Eve parties for more than five years.
Wong said their party was one of the most popular New Year’s Eve events in Port-of-Spain, adding they usually had people from “premium demographics” attending, an elite crowd from 18 to 60 which includes grandparents and their relatives.
The Hilton believes this family atmosphere is one of the main attractions of its party.
May said, “We adjusted our price this year for those still willing to go out and have a good time. We looked around the market at what others were offering and decided to offer something pretty close.”
Radisson, too, has had to pay more to put out its end of year fete but service providers have been supportive, he said.
For $600, partygoers will get a dinner party, complimentary bottle of wine and a champagne toast at midnight.
May said Radisson also has rooms going at US$130 a night with breakfast for two.
People are responding well to their deals, he said.
“Our 360-degree revolving restaurant which can hold 150 people is almost sold out and there are lines of people at our counters waiting to pay for rooms. This year is a little better than last year.”
May believes marketing their party for couples has worked in their favour.