They said the banquet bookings for the wedding season have gone up by up to 30 percent. [break]
The star hotels in the capital have banquet halls which can service up to 1,500 people at a time and the price per person starts from Rs 1,100 exclusive of tax. Competitive price, increasing awareness about hygiene, adequate security, and enough parking space are the major reasons why banquet halls at star hotels are more sought-after.
Aatma Prasad Khanal, Banquet Sales Coordinator at Hotel Annapurna, said people are being health and hygiene conscious these days, which is the main reason why people are preferring quality hotels instead of informally run party palaces.
Dipesh K.C, Food and Beverage Manager at Everest Hotel, said better services, air-conditioned space, parking facilities and overall ambience are the other pull factors.
Surendra C Thakuri, associate director-sales&marketing, at the hotel, opined ability to deliver theme banquet is another factor.
Hotel Annapurna offers banquet services starting from Rs 1,200 per person provided the minimum number of guests should be 200. Similarly, if the number of people is 20 or above, the same menu will cost Rs 1,500 per person.
Everest Hotel provides the banquet services starting from Rs 1,100 to Rs 2,000 plus taxes. K.C said a number of factors determine the rate, out of which the number of people, length of the event, and menu are important factors. The hotel offers banquet services for 50 people to 1,500 people.
Hotel Yak and Yeti offers wedding menu that costs Rs 1,600 plus taxes to Rs 2,000 plus taxes per person. Thakuri said menu price mainly depends on host´s preference, chef´s recommendation, and taste of invitees.
Thakuri said Hotel Yak and Yeti is observing an increment of 15 percent annually in the banquet business. "It has indeed become difficult for customers to get a banquet venue for a particular date unless booked months in advance," he added.
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