New Year dos to lose their sizzle

16 December,2010 06:32 AM IST |   |  Urvashi Seth

Revision in entertainment taxes coupled with people taking off for the long weekend may take the sheen off New Year's bashes in the city


Revision in entertainment taxes coupled with people taking off for the long weekend may take the sheen off New Year's bashes in the city

The usual pomp and fanfare that ushers in the New Year for you may be watered down this time around what with the revision in the entertainment tax-playing spoilsport.

However, it's not just the hike in the tax that seems to be dampening the high spirits but the long weekend that New Year's Eve is falling on that is ruining plans for hoteliers.


Hoteliers claim that they will not be throwing huge New Year bashes and are opting for smaller dos, which will result in the city being much quieter this New Year's than all the previous years

According to inside sources, the city will witness smaller bashes this year as an increasing number of people have chosen to go out of town for the celebrations.

Confirming the trend, Antoine Lewis, editor of burp.com, an online lifestyle guide, said, "As New Year Eve is falling on a Friday this year, several hotels in the city are luring customers with exclusive stay packages."

The Westin Mumbai Garden City hotel in Goregaon is offering a one-night-stay package of Rs 19,999. Similarly, San Qi in the Four Seasons Hotel, Worli is offering a package for New Year's Eve priced at Rs 10,000.u00a0

Other hotels also claimed that the long weekend was eating into their plans for New Year's Eve bash.

"A five-star hotel in Juhu that has been organising big events in the past, has decided to go low-key and have a small in-house event, which will be accessible to the city's elite," added Lewis.

Hitesh Keswani who organises private New Year's events every year, echoed Lewis' sentiments.
u00a0
"Due to high tax structure and various licences that one needs to get for holding an event, one will hardly find any big New Year's bash taking place in the city.

Also, the long weekend has dampened the big parties this year as people prefer to go out of the city."

Expensive passes

However, if one thought that smaller dos would result in cheaper entry passes, they have got it wrong.

Keswani said the entry passes to most bashes this year will be doubled because of the entertainment tax, which has been levied on live performances.

"The cost of entry passes has almost doubled at most of the events this year as compared to last few years," said Keswani.

Passes thatu00a0 were being sold for Rs 2,000 last year is being sold for Rs 5,000 this year.

Ankit Anand, co-partner, Red Om Entertainment who is holding a party at a five-star hotel in Juhu echoed Lewis' sentiments of New Year events getting smaller this year.

"You will hardly find venues where big New Year's parties are planned. This year the city will be quieter as compared to any other New Year's."

For the last few years, Anand has been organising New Year's bashes at Taj Lands End, Bandra, but this year the hotel has decided not to host any such events Anand, told MiD DAY.

Rs 19,999
The cost of the one-night-stay package provided by a hotel

Voices

"We have decided to spend New Year's at a resort where we will be able to enjoy the night and stay back. Thank God it is a long weekend. Normally we used to go for private parties in the city as we had to report to work the next day."
Sunil Mahajan, HR professional, Mulund
u00a0
"I am going to enjoy this time as my kids will be at home and they will not have to go to school because of the long weekend. Hope New Year's comes on a Friday every year."
Pragnya Nair, housewife, who will be celebrating the New Year at Matheran

"I am so happy that New Year's falls on a long weekend. I am zipping off to Goa for a holiday. This will be the perfect way to end the year."
Farnaz Bodhanwalla, student, Jogeshwari

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
New Year bashes pub entertainment taxes dance mumbai