Govt amends hotel regulation

Classifies five-star properties into five-star and five-star plus deluxe categories The Tourism Ministry has amended the three-decade old hotel and resort regulation, issuing a new regulatory orders aimed at incorporating changes that have taken place in the hotel industry. Amid criticism that a number of five-star properties do not meet the international standards of a luxury hotel in terms of infrastructure and services they provide, the orders have categorised five-star hotels in two categories—five-star and five-star plus deluxe. The orders, which was published in the Nepal Gazette on October 21, has replaced the Hotel, Lodge, Restaurant, Bar and Tourist Guide Regulation 1981, enforcing the statutory orders to the hoteliers to comply with the latest and modern technology and environment conscious facilities. However, the orders have given a five-year period for the existing hotels to upgrade. “We have given the hoteliers a fiveyear period to upgrade the existing hotels, while new hotels have to comply with every clause of the revised regulation,” said Purna Chandra Bhattarai, jointsecretary of the Industry Division of the ministry. Ministry officials said the move reflects the stakeholders’ concerns that hotels were still being governed by a 30-year-old regulation. The stakeholders had sought a regulation compatible with the current tourism environment and the importance and needs of the tourists. The orders have categorised rental accommodations as tourist standard, mountain resort, jungle and safari resort, and the star category includes one- to five-star hotels. However, the orders have failed to enforce incorporation of facilities that are accessible to the people with disabilities. Also, there are no definitions for new emerging brands like the apartment hotel segment. As per the new provision, a five-star hotel should have at least 200 rooms, 10 percent of which have to be suites and presidential suites with music system, 25 percent deluxe rooms, and 10 club rooms. Each room has to be spread on 250 sq ft with attached bathroom. Fifteen percent of the beds have to be kingor queen-sized. The lobby has to accommodate at least 100 people and comply with the earthquake protection system. The parking space should accommodate vehicles at least 25 percent of the total number of rooms. All the managers of the hotel have to possess a diploma in hotel management at minimum. The hotel should keep the statistics of all its guests and its income intact, the orders read. Separate smoking zones, 24/7 security facility and hygienic kitchen, among other facilities, have been made mandatory for five-star properties. “The reforms are aimed at making five-star hotels look like five-star in terms of service delivery and infrastructure,” Bhattarai said. As far as four-star hotels are concerned, they should at least have 80 rooms each spread on 230 sq ft and have attached bathrooms. These properties should have 10 percent suite rooms and the lobby should have the capacity accommodate 40 guests. Air conditioning system, CCTV system, conference hall, swimming pool, health club, fitness centre, sauna bath, sports facilities and coffee shops have been made mandatory for fourstar properties. At least 50 percent seats have to be allocated for non-smoking guests in restaurants and 80 percent managers should possess a diploma in hotel management. Three-star category hotels should have at least 60 rooms each spreading on 196 sq ft, and 10 percent of the beds should be queen-sized, while all the rooms should be equipped with AC facilities. The orders have made it mandatory for two-star properties to have 40 rooms each spread on 169 sq ft, with attached bathroom. They should have felicities like Wi-fi, CCTV, and parking space for at least 10 vehicles. Similarly, a one-star hotel should boast of 20 rooms each spread on 169 sq ft. Meanwhile, the orders have classified resorts into three categories—mountain resorts, jungle resorts and safari camps, and tourist resorts. These resorts should have recreational activities like hiking, bird watching and safari, among other sports activities. The number of star hotels has reached 107 in 2012 from the previous year’s 106, while the number of tourist standards hotels and resorts rose to 743 in 2012 from 721 in 2011, according to the Economic Survey 2012-13. However, the orders have failed to enforce incorporation of facilities that are accessible to the people with disabilities. Also, there are no definitions for new emerging brands like the apartment hotel segment A combo photo shows five-star hotels in Kathmandu.