The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) has established a new Bagmati Province Ad Hoc Committee to enhance service standards and streamline regional cooperation across high-density tourist hubs. The announcement was unveiled at the G Ramayana Hotel during an event chaired by Dipendra Subedi, Secretary of the Bagmati Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
During the launch, HAN Acting President Prabin Bahadur Pandey highlighted plans to expand the association's footprint into Kathmandu and Lalitpur, aiming to provide direct support to local entrepreneurs. Pandey also revealed that HAN is lobbying federal authorities to overhaul outdated hospitality regulations and address the issue of illegal operations, noting that nearly 30% of tourists currently stay in unregistered accommodations. To boost trust and standards, HAN plans to roll out a verified digital platform for member hotels.
Legal Advisor Gandhi Pandit noted that restructuring HAN along federal lines is critical, calling on the state to give stronger backing to an industry that drives foreign exchange and employment.
Newly appointed provincial president Ram Sundar Bake committed to tackling hoteliers' shared challenges by integrating technology and improving stakeholder coordination. Bake also urged the government to find a balanced resolution regarding the current ban on elephant safaris to support eco-tourism. In response, Secretary Subedi reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to reforming policies, building infrastructure, and using digital platforms to market Bagmati as a premier travel destination.
