October 31: Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) is preparing to launch concessional package for the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign, which is just two months away.

HAN has instructed its members to announce packages offering discount to tourists during the Visit Nepal Year 2020. Around 2000 hotels, including 5-star hotels, are associated with HAN as its members.

As per the announcement of HAN, its member hotels will provide the concessional package only to foreign tourists.

According to HAN, its members will provide 30 percent discount on room charge and 15 percent on food and beverage.

HAN’s President  Srijana Rana said that the association is preparing to announce the package especially for the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign. Rana, who is also the executive director of 5-star Annapurna Hotel, said that the hospitality sector has an important role to make the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign a success.

“It is essential to bring concessional packages to attract tourists,” said Rana, adding that the hotel entrepreneurs are well aware of this fact.

She further said that the private sector is ready to support the government to make the campaign a success. Rana suggested that the hotels should provide additional training to their staffers as the Visit Nepal Year 2020 draws closer.

“The standard of service that the Nepalese hotel industry provides is excellent. But this sector still requires more effort to improve the standard of service,” said Rana.

She also said that the government should focus on connectivity and also ensure that there isn’t any further delay in upgrading road infrastructure as well as new airports.

Meanwhile, former president of HAN Amar Man Shakya said that the hotel industry is ready to serve the tourists but other infrastructures like roads are not satisfactory. He also said that the promotion for the campaign has not been much effective.

“Currently, the hotels in Nepal can accommodate not just 2 million tourists but 2.5 million visitors,” claimed Shakya, adding, “But the road network and other infrastructures in the country are in pathetic state.”

He said that the month of October is considered the ideal season for tourist arrival but there has been a slump in the number of tourists in Nepal during the peak season.