Nine hotels registered in first three months of 2013/14

The number of tourist standard hotels is increasing in recent years, thanks to decline in tourist spending and easy registration process. Nine hotels were registered with the Tourism Industry Division under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation over the first three months of fiscal year 2013/14. And all of them were tourist standard. Not a single star-rated hotel was registered during the period. Hotel Yukhang in Banasthali, Himalayan Sherpa Guest House in Tatopani, Alobar 1000 Guest House in Thamel, World Heritage Hotel and Apartment in Maru, Alliance Hotel in Jorpati, Tapoban Guest House in Koteshwar, Dream Nepal Hotel and Apartment in Jyatha, Rama Inn Boutique Home in Lal Durbar Marg and GT Restaurant and Lodge in Panauti were registered with the division during the period. The government hasn´t announced new requirements for tourist standard hotels, except resorts, in the recently enforced criteria for standardization of hotels. However, Purna Chandra Bhattarai, chief of the division, said the government would strictly monitor all hotels including the tourist standard accommodation. “The number of tourist standard hotels, especially guest houses and lodges, has been increasing lately and many of them were in operation without registering with the division,” Bhattarai said. “It is good to note that tourist hotels which are already in operation have also started registration process.” Currently, Mid Group Holiday and Rara Pariyojana are doing internal preparation to star five-star hotel in Nepal. Mid Group Holiday plans to open Sheraton Hotel in Kathmandu, while Rara Pariyojana is studying the feasibility of opening a five-star hotel near Rara Lake in Mugu. Similarly, two three-star hotels - Hotel Galaxy and Hotel Shanti - are coming up. Mohan Krishna Sapkota, spokesperson of MoCTCA, said simplification of registration process is encouraging promoters of tourist standard hotels to register with the division. According to Nepal Tourism Statistics 2012, Nepal received 338,132 tourists via air a decade back and their average spending was $79.10 per day per person. Though the number of tourists arriving Nepal reached 803,092 in 2012, per day tourist spending dropped to a 16-year low of $35.60.