SANGAM

Hotels hike tariff 25-40pc

SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JUNE 7

Kathmandu's five-star hotels have upped their rates by 25-40 percent encouraged by a steady increase in tourist inflow.

According to the hoteliers, expanding arrivals, additional facilities and renovation costs are the reasons behind the increase in tariff.

The Shangri-La, de l’ Annapurna, Hyatt Regency, Yak & Yeti and Everest have hiked their accommodation charges by 20-45 percent.

The cost of a standard single room at these hotels ranges from US$ 85-200 while a double room goes for US$ 120-250 excluding service charge and taxes.

The Shangri-La has increased its room rates by 30-40 percent. “With the renovation done recently, the hotel offers improved facilities, and the price is reasonable considering the additional comforts and quality of service,” said front office manager Rabina Dali.

Dali added that the tariff for a single room has been revised to US$ 100 excluding service charge and taxes. A double room costs US$ 120 without taxes. Indian guests are charged IRs. 4,000 and Nepali guests pay Rs. 3,500 excluding taxes.

Amir K. Pradhananga, director of sales at the Everest, said their accommodation charges had been hiked by 30 percent. A single room now costs US$ 85 and a double room US$ 90 excluding taxes. He added that the rates of five-star hotels in Nepal were lower than in India and other South Asian countries.

Raj Bahadur Shah, sales manager of the de l’ Annapurna, said they had been forced to increase the tariff because costs had gone up because of double-digit inflation. A single room now costs US$ 85 and a double US$ 95 excluding taxes. The charge for Indian tourists is IRs. 4,000 for a single and IRs. 4,500 for a double.

The Hyatt Regency charges US$ 110 for a single and US$ 120 for a double. Indian tourists are charged IRs. 5,000 for a single and IRs. 5,400 for a double.

“We revise the rates on a regular basis, however, the recent increase is the first in two years,” said Anee B.C., reservation officer of the Hyatt.

The Yak & Yeti charges an average of US$ 190 for a single and US$ 205 for a double.

Travel trade entrepreneurs said that hotels used to charge US$ 135-185 for a single room in 1999 when the country recorded the highest tourist arrivals. In 2009, the number of tourists arriving by land and air amounted to half a million.