Demonetisation dulls the Christmas spirit in the Capital

Due to demonetisation, event organisers and party planners are facing a dip of about 50 percent in bookings.

Christmas is almost here, but this time around, the merriment is marred due to demonetisation. X-Mas eve parties are suffering due to the cash crush, with event organisers saying that there is a sharp dip in bookings. “We used to be full by this time of the year, but right now, we only have a few bookings. There is 30% fall in our business,” says Jaslin Kochchar, an event manager.

Cash crunch dampens the parties spirit of Delhiites this Christmas.(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

Another city-based event organiser, Salil Chaudhary, adds, “The business is down by 50-60%. And the people who are making bookings are not ready to spend the same amount of money. Most of them are asking for more than a 50 percent discount.”

Manu Gupta, owner, Salsa Salsaa, Gurgaon, says, “People are not ready to book for X’Mas and New Year parties and we have seen a 30 -40 percent fall in business. Although, we have great discounts and offers for our customers for the festive season, it’s just not working out,” he says.

Manpreet Saini, 27, an HR professional used to host a Christmas party every year. “But I can’t even think of hosting one this time. The mood is very different, and my friends are also focusing on saving rather than spending.”

However, some believe that online wallets has acted as a savior. Atul Kapoor, owner, QBA, says: “Today’s generation uses more credit and debit cards. So, we are getting bookings.”