It has been a very merry Christmas for retailers and hotels this year.

Many outlets are reporting above average figures for the season.

Restaurant managers said holiday-makers had come in droves to enjoy themselves in Port Elizabeth this festive season.

The day manager at Mauro's restaurant on the beachfront, Ivana Ofsowitz, said the Christmas period had been fantastic.

"It was very full. There were lots of people eating lunches. Christmas lunch was fully booked and we are also fully booked for today (Tuesday)."

Kelway Hotel yield manager Michelle van der Watt said the Christmas period had been busy compared to last year.

"We are much busier. A number of people from out of town have come in this year."

Paxton Hotel manager Anton Pretorius said business was good.

"Accommodation has been good and there had been a lot of Christmas spirit," he said.

Most of Port Elizabeth's major shopping centres also experienced a busy Christmas period.

Property administrator for Walmer Park, Mariska Smit, said the centre had experienced a "very good festive season". No final calculations had been done yet, but she estimated that there was a 20% increase in traffic volumes from last year.

Smit said the centre was still very busy on Tuesday, "probably with people spending the vouchers they got for Christmas".

Cleary Park shopping centre manager Daryll Sauls said it had measured an increase in "the number of feet" from last year.

Food and novelty shops had reported good turnover.

He said clothing stores had a slow start, but sales had picked up considerably in the week before Christmas. But Greenacres centre manager Brent Starr said there had been less traffic this year than in previous years.

However the "spend per head" had been greater, meaning people were spending more money than in previous years.

"I think maybe they were buying bigger, more expensive items.

"Jewellery and electronics were definitely very popular," he said.

Leonie van Schalkwyk, guest services supervisor at Garden Court Kings Beach, said Christmas had been good so far. "We have not had a 100% occupancy, but most of our family rooms are full," she said.

However, some hotels in the city were less busy.

Humewood Hotel general manager Dave Snuggs said the Christmas period had been quiet.

"We are not as busy as last year." He said the hotel had a 70% occupancy rate.

"We are doing well in turnover, but we are not full," he said.

Eastern Province Herald
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge