Lumbini Province's hotel business declined in fiscal year 2080/81

BHAIRAHAWA, Jan 20:The Nepal Rastra Bank has stated that the occupancy rate of hotels in Lumbini Province grew in the fiscal year 2080/81, but remained below 40% overall.

According to the central bank's 'Economic Activity Study of Lumbini Province 2080/81', the province's hotel occupancy rate increased by 13.87 percent to 38.53 percent in the past fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. In fiscal year 2079/80, it was 33.86%.

The findings come from a survey of 15 tourist-level hotels, nine in Rupandehi, three in Banke, and one each in Palpa, Arghakhanchi, and Kapilvastu districts.

As a result of the impact of Gautam Buddha International Airport, a huge number of hotels/restaurants have recently opened in the Rupandehi district and neighboring district, with more under construction. Data was gathered to assess the state of tourism indicators in Lumbini Province, such as the number of beds in tourist-level hotels, room sales, direct employment, and tourist arrivals.

The number of Indian tourists visiting the selected hotels in the review year was lower than the previous year, which influenced occupancy. Last year, the number of tourists fell by 5.39 percent, to 132,143.

Although the number of foreign touristss visiting hotels declined in the review year, the study report notes that domestic tourism improved, resulting in a rise in hotel beds, employment, and occupancy rates.

According to data from the selected hotels, the number of hotel beds increased by 8.07 percent to 1,272 during the review year compared to the previous year.

Similarly, the number of room/bed sales in the review year climbed by 22.97 percent to 178,900 over the previous year. The number of room/bed sales in the preceding year increased by 10.81% over the previous year. According to the research, the selected hotels employed 961 workers, including 722 males and 239 women.