25 Dec 2010

Christmas function bookings best in three years

10:52 am on 25 December 2010

Hotels, cafes and party venues say their 2010 bookings for Christmas events are the best in three years.

The hospitality sector says that while bookings were for functions are more modest than they were before 2008, the rise in business after struggling through the past two Christmas seasons is welcome.

One hospitality company, Frenzigroup, says the recession has made those in the sector leaner and more efficient.

And an Auckland-based gift basket company, My Goodness, says while orders were much better this year, some previously regular customers no longer call, particularly finance, architectural and real-estate firms.