Standard of Star Hotels to be Upgraded to Int’l Levels

Star hotels already established in Nepal and those that will soon be operating will have to meet the international standards. According to the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), the process to prepare new standards of all hotels, rated one to five stars, is still in the pipeline. According to HAN representatives, even though Nepali star hotels are said to meet international standards, the reality is different and they do not completely qualify. Prabin Pandey, Coordinator of hotel rating revision committee at HAN, said, “Nepali hotels are being enforced international standards to promote them in the international market.” A six-member committee was formed for this purpose after the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation directed to revise standards of star hotels on March 21. According to the suggestions given by the committee, member hotels will be directed to follow the standards, said a representative of HAN. 

The committee will determine the number of rooms as well as the standards of suites, clubs and all kinds of rooms. Similarly, food quality and sanitation, along with the use of latest technology and electric doors will also be set as minimum standards. Currently, there are 10 five star hotels and two four star hotels in Nepal. Three and other star hotels are operating across the country.

Yak & Yeti to Spend Rs 800m on Renovation 

Five-star Yak & Yeti will be investing nearly Rs 800 million on renovation and refurbishing of its standard rooms, according to Bharat Joshi, resident manager of the hotel. “We haven’t renovated our standard rooms for the past 32 years. We want to do it in the New Nepali year 2070 BS,” said Joshi, “We will also add new modern amenities.” 

The hotel plans to spend nearly Rs 500 million for the renovation of the 110 standard rooms it has. “The remaining amount will be spent on the amenities and kitchen and laundry services,” he added. Earlier, Yak & Yeti was planning to add 100 new rooms. But now that plan has been put off. “New rooms will be added when we achieve better occupancy rates,” he said. The hotel had an occupancy rate of 66 per cent in 2012 and plans to raise it to above 68 per cent in 2013.