Hotels in Pokhara witness booking withdrawals

Pokhara: Along with sporadic strikes and riots taking place in the country targeting the upcoming election, Pokhara-based hotels have witnessed 15-40 percent booking cancellations for the month of November.

Hoteliers attributed the booking withdrawls to uncertainty arising from polls scheduled for November 19.According to Rajkumar KC, director of Hotel Barahai, most of the European tourists, who were preparing to visit Nepal during November have cancelled their bookings.

“Though we had recorded 100 percent bookings for November, 40 percent of the bookings have been cancelled.” KC said. He further added that most of tourists have cited weak security situation.
“A thirty-member team that was visiting the hotel this November has cancelled booking. This will directly hamper our business,” KC adds.

Similar is the case with Pokhara Grand, a five-star hotel in Pokhara. “November is regarded as the peak season in hospitality business and most of our rooms were already booked. However, 15 percent of bookings have already been cancelled and more cancellations are likely in the days to come,” said Kamal Serchan, marketing manager of the hotel.

Likewise, 15 percent of the bookings for November at Sangrila Hotel have also been withdrawn. According to Gupt Giri, front office manager of the hotel, international tourists have cancelled their bookings after the 33-party alliance announced a 10-day banda prior to the elections.

Moreover, Giri said tourists have cancelled bookings for December as well. “Sporadic clashes and announcement of banda has frightened the tourists,” Giri added.Hoteliers have opined that announcement of bandas during election will not only hamper the hospitality business but will leave a negative impact on the overall tourism industry. They have urged the government to create favorable environment for visiting tourists during the election period.

source:republica,9 Nov 2013