SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, DEC 03 -
Increased tourist arrivals and hopes of lasting peace coming to the country have inspired investors to build new resorts. Sukute Beach Adventure Camp in Sindhupalchok, Balthali Village Resort in Kavre and Kinnari Resort in Naldunga, Kavre have obtained operating licenses from the Tourism Ministry’s Industrial Division.
Nirajan Ghimire, section officer at the division, said that the applications of another three resorts -- Narayani Resort, Chitwan, Pristine Paradise Tent Resort, Dhulikhel and Two River Lodge, Melamchi -- were being processed.
There has been a significant rise in the registration of new hotels since 2009, but there have been few resorts. According to the Tourism Ministry, registrations of new hotels exceeded 1,100 in 2009-10.
The resort sector, worst hit during the decade-long conflict, has been making a slow recovery. “Hotels can be erected anywhere in the city or suburbs, but a resort property requires a scenic setting like near lakes and rivers or on hills and mountains,” said Arun Shrestha, executive director of Dhulikhel Mountain Resort. He said resorts are spread over a larger area and contain all the facilities found in hotels. Moreover, a resort has to provide recreational opportunities like golf, spa, amusement park and sports.
Resort operators said they were more vulnerable during the conflict period because of their isolated and far-flung locations. “Travel traders are upbeat that the situation is improving, and swelling arrivals in recent times have encouraged investment in resorts,” said Shrestha.
He claimed that some small hotels and restaurants were calling themselves resorts even though they did not fulfil the requirements. The government should consider this before issuing the operating certificate, he added. Nepal received 412,446 tourists by air during the period January-November, the highest since 1999.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
36 get home stay permits
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, DEC 03 -
The Industry Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has issued operating permits to 36 home stay houses since Aug. 17 when registration became mandatory.
According to a Tourism Ministry official, most of the home stay houses are located outside the Kathmandu Valley.
With the tourism market growing and Nepal Tourism Year 2011 approaching, home stay operators are hoping that a larger number of tourists will participate in the programme. Under the scheme, foreign visitors will be provided accommodation and food in private residences equipped with tourist standard facilities.
According to the Industry Division, Kapan Home Stay in Kapan, Newa Home Stay in Tahachal, Swayambhu Home Stay in Swayambhu and Ichangu Home Stay in Ichangu are the home stay houses that have obtained operating certificates in the Kathmandu Valley.
Chitwan, Kavre and Kaski are the other places where the home stay programme is being implemented, said Niranjan Ghimire, section officer at the Industry Division. He added that the division was planning to issue notices to those operating home stay houses illegally. “We will not allow home stay to be operated illegally.”
Home stay houses began proliferating after the private sector floated a proposal to host tourists in private houses expecting a shortage of hotel accommodation with the projected rise in arrivals during NTY 2011.
The Tourism Ministry has allocated Rs 30 million to regulate home stay and make it sustainable. Under the programme, the ministry in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board is preparing a manual for capacity building and providing training to home stay operators. Under the home stay guidelines, anybody who has a home with at least four rooms can use the empty rooms to accommodate tourists. The household should be able to give a taste of the local culture and food.
KATHMANDU, DEC 03 -
The Industry Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has issued operating permits to 36 home stay houses since Aug. 17 when registration became mandatory.
According to a Tourism Ministry official, most of the home stay houses are located outside the Kathmandu Valley.
With the tourism market growing and Nepal Tourism Year 2011 approaching, home stay operators are hoping that a larger number of tourists will participate in the programme. Under the scheme, foreign visitors will be provided accommodation and food in private residences equipped with tourist standard facilities.
According to the Industry Division, Kapan Home Stay in Kapan, Newa Home Stay in Tahachal, Swayambhu Home Stay in Swayambhu and Ichangu Home Stay in Ichangu are the home stay houses that have obtained operating certificates in the Kathmandu Valley.
Chitwan, Kavre and Kaski are the other places where the home stay programme is being implemented, said Niranjan Ghimire, section officer at the Industry Division. He added that the division was planning to issue notices to those operating home stay houses illegally. “We will not allow home stay to be operated illegally.”
Home stay houses began proliferating after the private sector floated a proposal to host tourists in private houses expecting a shortage of hotel accommodation with the projected rise in arrivals during NTY 2011.
The Tourism Ministry has allocated Rs 30 million to regulate home stay and make it sustainable. Under the programme, the ministry in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board is preparing a manual for capacity building and providing training to home stay operators. Under the home stay guidelines, anybody who has a home with at least four rooms can use the empty rooms to accommodate tourists. The household should be able to give a taste of the local culture and food.
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