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POKHARA, April 11: A new hotel named Temple Bell Boutique Hotel and Spa has recently opened in Lakeside, a key tourist area in Pokhara. The hotel has received an investment of approximately Rs 1.25 billion, which covers the cost of land. According to the hotel management, it will be fully operational from mid-April and will offer all the necessary facilities for the tourism sector.
Temple Bell is just one example. In the past six months alone, at least eight new hotels have opened in Pokhara, according to tourism entrepreneurs. Some more hotels are still under construction. Entrepreneurs say they are increasing investments in the tourism sector due to its high potential. Most of the recent investment is focused on the hotel industry.
Bharatraj Parajuli, a central member of the Hotel Association Pokhara, said that the expansion of highway, the completion of Pokhara’s international airport, and potential within the tourism sector have encouraged both new and existing investors to pour in funds in this sector.
“Since last October, eight new hotels have come into operation. Their construction started after the expansion of the Prithvi Highway and the airport. Now they’re fully operational, with more on cards,” said Parajuli, who is also the former president of the Hotel Association Pokhara, “Although tourist arrivals are not very encouraging, the sector remains hopeful. Investors are continuing to put in money.”
He added that there is still a glimmer of hope in the tourism industry, which is why investment hasn’t stopped. “While the international airport was under construction, investors started building hotels. Now the airport is ready, and the highway expansion is in its final stages. Also, international flights have started from Pokhara,” he said, “The tourism sector is looking ahead for better days. Although the post-COVID period was tough, the situation is improving.”
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Temple Bell Boutique Hotel and Spa is a project of the Chilli Group, co-founded by tourism entrepreneurs Bishwaraj Poudel and Bhishmaraj Poudel. Bishworaj said the hotel is built on a traditional Nepali theme and meets international standards. Designed under the boutique hotel concept, the hotel features Nepali woodcraft, stone, dhaka fabric, thangka paintings, chandeliers, and artwork. The operators claim the hotel is environmentally friendly, and its rooms, corridors, and open spaces reflect local culture and warmth.
Managing Director Bhishmaraj Poudel said the hotel is built on about 2.5 ropanis of land. It has 55 rooms, including 47 deluxe boutique rooms, 5 super deluxe rooms, 2 junior suites, and 1 presidential suite. The hotel also includes a swimming pool, a conference hall, and other amenities.
According to Poudel, room rates for Nepali guests are Rs 7,500 for a single room and Rs 8,500 for a double room. For foreign guests, a single room costs Rs 12,000 and a double Rs 14,000. Suites are priced at Rs 35,000 per night for domestic tourists and Rs 48,000 for international guests.
“There are still opportunities in tourism. The highway expansion and airport operation has given us hope,” Poudel said, “Since we have been in tourism for a long time, it was the right time for us to invest again.” He added that although the hotel is not yet receiving the expected number of guests due to access limitations, the situation could improve in the coming days.
“More hotels are opening and healthy competition is a good sign. If you can provide quality service, there won’t be a problem,” he said. The Chilli Group has been investing in Pokhara’s tourism sector since 2008, previously operating restaurants and other businesses.
Another hotel, Peninsula, is also expanding its service in Lakeside. The hotel is being upgraded from 30 to 77 rooms, according to operator Khim Dhakal. He said the new version of Peninsula is expected to open by July. “The trend of adding new hotels is progressing. Since the tourism sector demands it, more investments are natural,” said Dhakal, “Pokhara itself is a tourism city, so it makes sense for investments to increase. Tourism is the only viable industry here.”
“Pokhara cannot sustain without tourism. There’s no other alternative for investment,” he said, “Lately, this city has become more accessible with the operation of an international airport and improvement of road link. International flights are gaining momentum. We are optimistic that more tourists will arrive, and that’s why we are investing.”
According to Hotel Association Pokhara’s central member Parajuli, about 400 new hotel rooms have been added in the past six months. Several more hotels are still under construction and are expected to open within next year. Parajuli mentioned that hotels like Temple Bell, Hotel Dashain, and Hotel Peninsula are already in operation. He estimates that at least Rs 4 billion has been added to the tourism sector in recent months.
“Out of the total Rs 4 billion, around Rs 2 billion has gone into infrastructure. The rest is for land,” he said, “Investing billions in tourism at this time is no small challenge. But investors are still hopeful.”
Since Lakeside is a core tourism area in Pokhara, business owners see no alternative industry for investment. “We’ve always invested in tourism, and now we’re expanding,” Parajuli said, “There’s growing ease in tourism infrastructure, highway expansion is almost complete, and the international airport has started flights.” Parajuli said that although there are still many challenges, business owners remain hopeful and continue to increase investment in tourism.
