KATHMANDU, Oct 13
The trend of investing in hotels has increased even though tourist arrival has failed to increase in Nepal. The entrepreneurs have increased investment with hopes of increase in tourist arrival even though tourist arrival has stagnated.
Entrepreneurs have taken permission for construction of two dozen star hotels in the past one year, according to the Department of Tourism. A total of 24 star hotels have started construction after completing environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the last fiscal year and the first month of the current fiscal year. This is the highest number in a year until now.
Only star and tourist standard hotels are registered with the department while the other hotels are registered with the Department of Cottage and Small Industries and local administration. The Department of Tourism estimates that the number of hotels being constructed is far higher apart from the 24 hotels. The department classifies star hotels only after construction is completed, according to Director General Tulsi Prasad Gautam. Hotels with more than 50 rooms are legally required to do EIA. Gautam opines that start of construction of 24 big hotels in Nepal at a time when there have been complains about lack of investment environment will send a positive message. Most of the hotels registered with the department are being constructed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Foundation stone for Rs 8-billion Sheraton Hotel was laid at Kesharmahal, Kathmandu only on Saturday.
Those receiving permission include Rara Hotel and Recreation Center, Hotel Galaxy, Hotel Samna, RM Group PVT Ltd Hotel, Everest Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Hotel Nilgiri, Shyam Singh Pvt Ltd, Rupakot Resort Pvt Ltd, Himal Water Park and Village, Nepal Hospitality Group Pvt Ltd, Hotel View Bhrikuti Pvt Ltd, Landmark Forest Pvt Ltd, Sriji Hotels Pvt Ltd, Soaltee Sikkim Pvt Ltd, Thamel Plaza Hotel, Hotel Mount Monastery, Hotel Garima Pvt Ltd, Centurion Hotel Pvt Ltd, Chamero Plaza Pvt Ltd and others. While investment used to be made in tourist hotels in the past, it has increased, according to the department, in star hotels this year. The hotels earlier were registered with the Tourism Industry Division but now are registered with the department after its formation.
Hotels are considered an important component of tourism. Rise in the number of star hotels this year has increased enthusiasm in the tourism entrepreneurs, according to the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN). “Investment is arriving in hotels now with construction of small to big hotels. This is a good omen,” HAN General Secretary Vinayak Shah states. Only hotels worth Rs 150-250 million were being constructed in the recent years, according to him. A star hotel costs at least Rs 400 million.
There are a total of 567 star and tourist standard hotels in Nepal. It was 432 in 2009. The biggest investment in a hotel was made in Hyatt Regency while other big investments have only been made for upgradation.
Hotels
|
2009
|
2013
|
Five Star
|
10
|
10
|
Four Star
|
2
|
2
|
Three Star
|
11
|
15
|
Two Star
|
27
|
26
|
Single Star
|
26
|
24
|
Tourist Standard
|
348
|
482
|
Total
|
432
|
567
|
Source: Department of Tourism
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