Lumbini Province hotel sector employs 60,000 people

RANJHA, BANKE: The hotel sector in Lumbini Province has provided direct employment to 60,000 people, according to Bhaskar Kafle, founding Chairman of Hotel Entrepreneurs' Association in Lumbini Province. 

There are approximately 11,000 hotel entrepreneurs in the province, which comprises 12 districts.

The hotel sector has seen an investment of around Rs 200 billion. "The private sector has entirely invested some Rs 200 billion in hotels," Kafle stated, adding that the state earns nearly Rs 400 million in annual revenue from this enterprise.

However, Kafle noted that entrepreneurs running small and mid-scale hotels, as well as star hotels, are facing challenging times due to a lack of dynamic tourism recently. He suggested that the state consider relief packages for the hotel industry to aid its gradual revival.

Mahendra Shrestha, Chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs' Association in Lumbini Province, emphasised that tourism promotion is crucial for boosting the hotel business. He mentioned plans to name hotel rooms after heritage and cultural sites and urged the state to create a positive environment for the hotel and hospitality sector.

"Once the government implements policies favourable to the hotel and tourism business, it will help spur these areas, thereby generating more jobs," Shrestha said, adding that they are drawing the attention of all three tiers of government to this matter.

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