KATHMANDU, Dec 18: The management of Thamel-based Hotel Vaishali has announced closure of the hotel until a favorable business environment is created.
The hotel had been facing problems since the first week of December, after pro-Maoist workers halted regular works demanding among others pay hike. The management announced indefinite closure of the hotel by issuing a notice on Saturday, after its efforts of resolving the issue through talks failed.[break]
Vijay Kumar, executive director of the hotel, said the management was forced to announce indefinite closure of the hotel after talks with the agitating workers failed to bear fruits.
“What is the point of operating the hotel when we, the management, has no role to perform?” Kumar wondered. He, however, expressed hopes that the upcoming meeting with central level union leaders will lead to fruition.
Agitating workers said talks failed as the management was not ready to implement the government fixed salary. “We are ready to sit for talks to resolve the issue,” said Hom Subedi, central member of All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers´ Union.
Meanwhile, Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has expressed solidarity with the decision. Issuing a statement Sunday, the apex body of hotels in Nepal said forcible closure of the hotel was not just spreading negative message about Nepal tourism but also discouraging foreign investment.
We request the government to take necessary initiative for resuming the hotel´s operation, the statement added.