On April 11, Nepal reported that a new establishment called the Temple Bell Boutique Hotel & Spa has debuted in Lakeside, a prominent tourist hub in Pokhara. This venture was backed with an investment totaling around Rs 1.25 billion, accounting for the price of the property. As per the administration at the hotel, full functionality will commence by mid-April, providing all requisite amenities needed within the hospitality industry.
The Temple Bell is merely an illustration. Over the last half-year, at least eight fresh hotels have been inaugurated in Pokhara, as reported by tourism business owners. Construction continues for several additional properties. Businesspeople indicate they are boosting their financial commitment to the tourism domain because of its substantial prospects. Much of this latest funding is concentrated on the hospitality sector.
Bharatraj Parajuli, who holds a key position in the Hotel Association Pokhara, mentioned that the development of the highway, along with the finishing touches on Pokhara’s international airport and the growth opportunities in the tourism industry, has attracted fresh investments as well as additional funding from current backers into this field.
“Eight new hotels have begun operations since last October. These were built following the upgrades to both the Prithvi Highway and the airport. Currently, all these establishments are up and running, with additional ones expected,” stated Parajuli, who previously served as the president of the Hotel Association Pokhara. “Even though visitor numbers aren’t particularly promising at this moment, the industry still holds onto hope. People continue to invest their funds.”
He mentioned that there remains a sliver of optimism within the tourism sector, which is why investments continue unabated. “Even as the international airport was being constructed, developers began erecting hotels. With the completion of the airport and the nearing conclusion of the highway upgrade, international flights have also commenced operations out of Pokhara,” he explained. “The tourism industry anticipates brighter times ahead. Despite facing challenges during the post-COVID era, conditions are gradually getting better.”
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The Temple Bell Boutique Hotel and Spa is an initiative by the Chilli Group, established by tourism industry leaders Bishwaraj Poudel and Bhishmaraj Poudel. According to Bishwaraj, this hotel adopts a traditional Nepalese design while adhering to global standards. Conceived with the boutique hotel idea in mind, the property showcases elements such as Nepali woodworking, stones, Dhaka fabrics, Thangka artworks, chandeliers, and various pieces of art. Management asserts that the establishment prioritizes environmental sustainability, ensuring that guestrooms, hallways, and communal areas embody both local traditions and welcoming atmospheres.
The Managing Director, Bhishmaraj Poudel, stated that the hotel occupies approximately 2.5 ropanis of land. It features a total of 55 rooms: 47 deluxe boutique rooms, 5 super deluxe rooms, 2 junior suites, and 1 presidential suite. Additionally, the property boasts a swimming pool, a conference hall, and various other facilities.
As stated by Poudel, the cost of a single room for Nepali visitors is set at Rs 7,500, whereas a double room is priced at Rs 8,500. Foreign travelers will have to pay Rs 12,000 for a single room and Rs 14,000 for a double room. The rate for suites stands at Rs 35,000 per night for local tourists and escalates to Rs 48,000 for those from abroad.
"Tourism still presents various opportunities. The enhancement of highways and the management of airports have instilled optimism within us," stated Poudel, "Given our extensive experience in this sector, now seems like an opportune moment for reinvestment." He further mentioned that despite the hotel not attracting as many visitors as anticipated because of restricted accessibility, he believes conditions may become more favorable in the near future.
"An increasing number of hotels are being established, which indicates positive competition. As long as you deliver high-quality services, everything will be fine," he stated. Since 2008, the Chilli Group has been involved inPokhara’s tourism industry, having earlier run eateries and various enterprises.
A further expansion at the Peninsula Hotel in Lakeside is underway. Operator Khim Dhakal reports that the facility will be scaled up from 30 to 77 rooms. According to him, this updated iteration of the Peninsula aims to debut by July. "This surge in establishing new hotels continues," stated Dhakal. "Given the needs of the tourism sector, additional investment was anticipated. Pokhara’s identity as a tourist destination naturally leads to an uptick in such ventures. In fact, tourism stands out as our most promising economic activity."
"Pokhara can’t thrive without tourism; there’s no other viable option for investments,” he stated. “Recently, this city has become easier to reach thanks to the functioning of an international airport and better road connections. Flights from abroad are becoming increasingly popular. We believe that more visitors will come, which is why we’re putting our money into it.”
As stated by Parajuli, a key member of the Hotel Association Pokhara, approximately 400 new hotel rooms were introduced over the last half-year. Many additional properties remain under development and should be ready for guests within the coming year. According to him, establishments such as Temple Bell, Hotel Dashain, and Hotel Peninsula are currently up and running. Parajuli also approximates that around Rs 4 billion has recently flowed into the tourism industry.
He mentioned that out of the overall Rs 4 billion budget, approximately Rs 2 billion was allocated for infrastructure development. The remaining amount will be used for purchasing land. 'At present, investing billions in the tourism sector poses significant challenges,' he explained, 'Nevertheless, the investors remain optimistic.'
Given that Lakeside is a key tourist hub in Pokhara, local entrepreneurs believe there’s no viable sector other than tourism worth investing in. As stated by Parajuli, “Historically, our investments have been focused on tourism, and currently, we’re scaling up.” He added that improvements in tourism facilities are becoming more evident with the near-completion of highway expansions and the commencement of operations at the new international airport. Despite numerous obstacles remaining, business operators stay optimistic about future prospects and keep increasing their financial commitments to this sector.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with authorization from Republica.
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