Hoteliers optimistic about 'Indian Season'

Despite slow increment in booking for May-June period, hoteliers are optimistic of the better season ahead as the average room rates has increased by up to 20 percent.

According to officials of Kathmandu-based star hotels, overall business looks positive as the revenue is estimated to increase by up to 25 percent despite lower than expected rise in booking by Indian tourists.

The number of Indian tourists visiting Nepal via air in April increased by 27 percent, according to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Hoteliers, however, said booking by Indian tourists did not increase as expected because of the rise in the number of Indians coming for pilgrimage tourism. Indians coming for pilgrimage generally prefer low-end accommodation, according to hoteliers.

The May-June is considered the peak season for Indian visitors.

Ashwini Acharya, senior sales and marketing director at The Everest Hotel, said booking by Indian tourists was not so encouraging this season. “Indian tourists mostly come in last minute booking, so we hope the situation gets better in terms of occupancy,” he said, adding that the hotel was expecting 25 percent growth in occupancy during the May-June period.

The Everest Hotel is expecting 75-80 percent booking for the period, out of which 70 percent is expected to be made by visitors from the Southern neighbor.

Kaushal K Singh, sales and marketing director at Gokarna Forest Resort and Spa, said booking received for the period stands at 50 percent so far and might go up to 65 percent. “Though booking might grow further, the chances of seeing drastic rise in booking appear slim,” added Singh. “Air connectivity between New Delhi and Kathmandu is good. We would have got more Indian tourists had there been direct flight to Kathmandu from other Indian metro cities.”

Surendra C Thakuri, associate director-sales and marketing at Hotel Yak and Yeti, said conference groups from India is better this season although there has been no change in the number of free independent travelers. The present booking status for the hotel is 65 percent for the months of May and June and around 55 percent for July.

“Despite slow rise in booking, we are being able to sell conference packages and rooms at better rates,” Thakuri said, adding: “So the revenue side looks stronger this season.”

source: myrepublica,4 May 2012