Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) successfully organized Strategic Workshop – 1 on November 24, 2025, at Hotel Barahi, Kathmandu, bringing together key committee members to discuss pressing industry issues, policy reforms, and a unified roadmap for the future of Nepal’s hospitality sector.
The session began with a welcome address by Senior Vice President Prabin B. Panday, who encouraged all members to intensify industry-focused advocacy. He emphasized the need for smart, efficient, and future-ready hospitality practices to keep pace with the sector’s evolving demands.
Collective Commitment to Leadership and Transformation
Speaking at the event, HAN President Binayak Shah underscored the importance of collective effort, urging committee heads and members to step up their engagement in the changing national context. He highlighted that meaningful transformation in Nepal’s hospitality sector is only possible through coordinated action and strong leadership across all levels of HAN.
As the chair of the session, Mr. Shah called upon members, especially the new generation of hoteliers, to uphold and further elevate HAN’s legacy, noting that the association is proudly marking 60 years of service to the nation and international guests. He emphasized the need for renewed dynamism and innovation to strengthen HAN’s role in shaping policy and industry standards.
Committees Present Key Issues and Recommendations
During the workshop, various committees held in-depth table discussions focused on legal challenges, policy gaps, operational hurdles, and standardization needs. Their consolidated findings were presented to the forum by committee representatives, including:
- Mr. Prabin B. Panday, Star Category Hotels Committee
- Mr. Youbaraj Shrestha, Treasurer and Coordinator, Finance and Standardization Committee
- Mr. C. P. Shrestha, Coordinator, Province Committee
- Mr. Laxman Aryal, Coordinator, Tourist Standard Committee
- Ms. Ashlesha Karki, Youth Hotelier Committee
- Ms. Amritanjali Sakya, R&D/IT Committee
- Mrs. Ava Shah and Mrs. Samjhana Basnyat, Education/HR/Membership Committee
Each representative highlighted priority concerns and shared insights gathered from intensive table-level group discussions, with topics ranging from regulatory reforms and capacity-building to digital readiness and provincial-level coordination.
Charting the Way Forward
Concluding the workshop, Secretary General Sajan Shakya presented the key findings and summarized the actionable recommendations put forth by the committees. He outlined the roadmap for the next phase, which includes strengthening dialogue with government agencies, upgrading hospitality standards, enhancing workforce development, and fostering innovation across hotel operations.
The workshop marks an important step for HAN as it continues to unify industry stakeholders, refine strategic direction, and reinforce its longstanding commitment to the growth and global positioning of Nepal’s hospitality sector.
