High-end hotels in Beijing are selling costly Christmas eve dinners, charging up to 2,588 yuan (approximately US$310) per person.

The most expensive dinner is at downtown's five-star Tianlun Dynasty Hotel, figuring a buffet dinner, an evening gala and raffle. Another five-star hotel Kerry Center, located in Beijing's eastern Central Business District, charges 1,288 yuan (US$156) for buffet dinner accompanied by live band performance, raffle and one-night accommodation at the hotel.

Similar services are also available at other local luxury hotels such as Beijing Hotel and Xiyuan Hotel.

In recent years, prices of Christmas dinner at luxury hotels have continued to climb in Beijing due to their popularity with corporations, who buy tickets to the dinners as year-end treats for their clients or employees. However, the space for further price growth is limited, according to hotel sources.

Wang Hui, public relations manager from the Tianlun Dynasty Hotel, said that the huge expenses involved in the Christmas dinners were responsible for the lower profit margin.

"Thirty percent is more in line with the reality and it is pretty much the same as the profitability rates of other hotel services," said Wang.

Tourist agencies also launched a series of special Christmas celebrations. The China Youth Tourism Agency is offering a one-night stay at suburban hot springs in Beijing, together with a buffet, turkey or steak dinners subject to individual choices, with prices ranging from 588 to 988 yuan (US$71 to 120).

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2004)