Pokhara hoteliers eye more Chinese tourists

Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara are redecorating their hotels in Chinese themes to attract more tourists from China. Not only that, they have also started appointing Chinese-speaking staffers and serving Chinese cuisines in their restaurants.

Daya Nanda Pokhrel recently leased out his hotel -- Nepal Guest House -- to a Chinese national for 10 years. The Chinese promoter is decorating the hotel in Chinese theme. The hotel is starting operation as a Chinese hotel in the near future.

Similarly, Giri Guest House and Eagle Nest Hotel of Lakeside have also been redecorated in Chinese style. These hotels are already receiving Chinese tourists in large numbers. Unlike other hotels in Pokhara, they are getting tourists almost around the year.

“Flow of Chinese tourist has increasing significantly over the past five years. Steady growth in the number of Chinese guests have encouraged hoteliers to redecorate their hotel in Chinese theme," Khim Bahadur Nepali, proprietor of Giri Guest House, said. "After I adopted Chinese theme, I have not faced dearth of tourists. My hotel is full most of the time."

According to Giri, Chinese tourists are coming even during off-seasons. "It is because of this reason that hotels are pack with tourists even during off-seasons these days," he added.

Hoteliers say most of the hotels in Pokhara are filled with Chinese tourists at present. They say even paragliding and ultra-light flight operators are benefiting from the surge in the number of Chinese tourists.

"Increased flow of Chinese tourists has forced hoteliers to introduce Chinese theme and menu in their hotels," Daya Nanda Pokhrel, proprietor of Nepal Guest House, said. "I decided to lease out by hotel to a Chinese national because his offer was difficult to resist."

Chinese tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal have even formed an association. Zhang, president of Overseas Chinese Association of Pokhara, said local hoteliers are adopting Chinese themes to attract more Chinese visitors. "Hotels designed in Chinese themes are pack almost around the year. There are around 15 hotels and restaurants that target Chinese tourists," he added.

Stating that more than 90 percent of foreign tourists enjoying paragliding in Pokhara are Chinese, Zhang said: "Attractions like natural beauty, trekking trails and paragliding are attracting more Chinese tourists to Pokhara."

source: SANTOSH POKHREL ,republica,23 feb 2015