KATHMANDU, Dec 30: As the English New Year 2024 approaches, hotels and resorts in popular tourist destinations are witnessing a surge in bookings. The increasing number of individuals planning to celebrate the 'New Year’s Eve' at these locations has led to a notable rise in advance bookings.
Domestic tourists are increasingly venturing out to explore different destinations for the English New Year, contributing to encouraging booking trends in tourism destinations such as Pokhara, Sauraha, Dhulikhel, Nagarkot, Indrasthan, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Jiri, Charikot, and others.
Gopi Bhattarai, president of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said there is an active participation of domestic tourists during the New Year. He said that advance bookings are on the rise in hotels and resorts in the Pokhara region.
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A street festival planned by the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) in Pokhara aims to attract both local and foreign tourists. Jitu Gurung, owner of Bar Peepal Resort, Pokhara, mentioned that the hotel has experienced an increase in tourism activities due to the street festival.
Suman Ghimire, former president of Chitwan chapter of the Regional Hotel Association of Nepal and owner of Jungle Safari Lodge, Sauraha, said that bookings are continuing for the New Year. He believes that there will be more tourists this year compared to the previous year because the New Year begins just after the weekend holidays which means there will be three days of holiday this time.
An elephant festival is being held in Sauraha to entertain foreign and local tourists before the New Year.
Premkantha Makaju Shrestha, president of Dhulikhel chapter of the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), mentioned that hotel bookings have reached 40 percent, and is expected to reach full capacity by the New Year. Dhulikhel, being a nearby destination from Kathmandu, is expected to attract more tourists until the last day.
In Nagarkot, a nearby destination from Kathmandu, hotels are experiencing a rapid increase in advance bookings, especially for Friday and Saturday. Yogendra Shakya, owner of Hotel Country Villa, Nagarkot, noted that hotels and resorts are fully booked even on other days.
The Indrasthan area, emerging as an alternative to Dhulikhel and Nagarkot, has witnessed nearly full hotel bookings, according to Hari Shyam Magar, owner of Indrasthan Himalaya Resort.
Religious places like Kalinchowk in Dolakha are reporting fully-booked hotels and resorts. Norbu Lama, owner of Kalinchowk Country Villa Hotel, urged visitors to book in advance to avoid accommodation shortages and potential inconveniences. He urged those who want to come to the Kalinchowk area to come only after booking in advance. He said that if advanced booking is not done, one will have to suffer due to lack of accommodation.
Charikot, the headquarters of Dolakha, is hosting a festival from December 29 for up to 10 days to attract tourists. Hotels in this region, along with Kalinchok, Jiri, and Sailung, have already received bookings from tourists eager to participate in the festivities.
