The Hindu Business Line : Ringing in a palatable year

And for those not in the mood to shake a leg during the year-end festivity, the hospitality industry is laying out its best platter to woo the revellers.

The industry also hopes to bury the ghosts of the recent past where wars and other global disturbances had dampened spirits.

While some New Year revellers in Delhi have forked out up to Rs 4,750 per couple at the Park Royal Intercontinental to enjoy a meal-cum-entertainment package (including chefs all the way from China), those partying at the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel, Mumbai, have dished out Rs 2,999 per couple per night to swing to the tunes of one of Bollywood's popular singing sensations.

Even state-owned hotel chains like The Ashok Hotel have put its best foot forward for visiting New Year revellers, with each restaurant offering a variety of food preparations.

According to Mr Ravi Dubey, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs at the Taj Group, there has been a significant improvement over last year in terms of business during the festive season.

This, subsequently, has inevitably led to not only rates being hiked by 10-15 per cent for the New Year festivity, but also for rooms and food and beverage packages for the forthcoming months.

"We are quite bullish about the future," Mr Dubey said. Occupancy at some of the Taj properties has almost doubled over the past year.

Echoing similar sentiments, Ms Geeta Singh, Vice President, Communications at The Oberoi Group, pointed out that business conditions have improved over the last three months.

"We are optimistic about the future," Ms Singh.