Once known primarily as a centre for trade, industry and transportation, Itahari is now preparing to position itself as a major destination for tourism, international conferences, exhibitions and destination weddings. A landmark hospitality project worth nearly Rs 2 billion is set to transform the city into a new hospitality and events hub for eastern Nepal.
The ambitious AB Hospitality–Wyndham Resort and Convention Centre, which will be the largest resort and convention facility in Koshi Province, has formally moved into the construction phase following the successful completion of its financial closure. The financing arrangement has been secured through a partnership between Everest Bank Limited and Muktinath Bikas Bank Limited. Designed to accommodate up to 4,000 guests simultaneously, the project is expected to redefine the hospitality landscape of eastern Nepal and create new opportunities for tourism, business events, and investment.
Visionary Hospitality Investment Led by Desh Bandu Basnet
The project is being spearheaded by Desh Bandu Basnet, Chairman of AB Investment Holdings and a well-known figure in Nepal’s hospitality sector. Basnet has already established a strong presence in the industry through internationally branded hospitality ventures, including Mercure Kathmandu and Ramada by Wyndham Itahari.
The Wyndham Resort and Convention Centre will mark his third major international-standard hospitality project. According to Basnet, the development is not merely another hotel investment. Instead, it is envisioned as a strategic initiative aimed at placing eastern Nepal on the regional map for international conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, and wedding tourism.
Targeting Regional and Cross-Border Event Markets
Located near the Bhatbhateni area of Itahari, the convention centre is strategically positioned to attract not only domestic visitors but also guests from neighboring Indian states. At present, large-scale weddings, trade exhibitions, and business conferences are often held in Kathmandu or major Indian cities due to the lack of comparable infrastructure in eastern Nepal. The new convention centre aims to fill this gap by providing world-class facilities closer to the region’s growing economic corridor.
Basnet believes the project will significantly reduce the need for businesses and event organizers to seek venues outside the region while attracting new visitors from across the border. “With international-standard facilities available in Itahari, eastern Nepal will be able to host major events that previously had to be organized elsewhere,” he said.
Capitalizing on Eastern Nepal’s Rapid Economic Growth
The project comes at a time when the Biratnagar–Itahari–Dharan corridor is witnessing rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and expanding economic activity. Improved road connectivity, growing commercial investments and increasing regional trade have strengthened the corridor’s position as one of Nepal’s most dynamic economic zones. Developers believe these factors create an ideal environment for large-scale hospitality investments.
Basnet noted that increasing movement of tourists, traders, and business travelers from India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh presents a significant opportunity to develop eastern Nepal as an emerging South Asian tourism and events destination. The Wyndham Resort and Convention Centre is expected to leverage this growing regional connectivity while supporting broader tourism and economic development objectives.
Strategic Gateway to Eastern Nepal’s Tourism Attractions
One of the project’s major advantages is its location. Itahari serves as a gateway to many of eastern Nepal’s most popular tourist destinations. Visitors attending conferences, exhibitions, or weddings at the resort will have easy access to destinations such as Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Bhedetar, the TMJ Region conservation landscape, the famous tea gardens of Ilam, as well as Dharan and several scenic hill destinations across eastern Nepal.
Developers say this unique combination of business and leisure opportunities will create a strong appeal for both domestic and international visitors. The resort itself will feature modern accommodation, hospitality services, entertainment facilities, recreational amenities, and premium event spaces designed to meet international standards.
Project Expected to Boost Employment and Regional Development
According to Basnet, the investment extends beyond the hospitality sector and should be viewed as part of a broader effort to contribute to eastern Nepal’s economic transformation. He expressed gratitude to financial institutions, investors, consultants and government agencies involved in the project and emphasized its potential to create employment opportunities, stimulate private-sector investment and strengthen Nepal’s tourism industry.
Industry observers believe the project could generate substantial direct and indirect employment during both the construction and operational phases while encouraging additional investments in supporting sectors such as transportation, catering, event management, and tourism services.
Local Leaders Driving a Shared Vision for Itahari
The project’s conceptual architect and manager, Prabhat Karki, is a native of Itahari and the son of former Pradhan Pancha Prem Bahadur Karki. Karki said the idea was born from a desire to bring transformative development to his hometown and address a long-standing infrastructure need in eastern Nepal.
“This was something eastern Nepal genuinely needed. Because Itahari is our hometown, it became our first choice,” Karki said. “Under the leadership of Desh Bandu Basnet, Itahari has achieved another major milestone. We have many more plans for the city in the future.”
A New Era for Itahari’s Hospitality Industry
With construction preparations now underway, the AB Hospitality–Wyndham Resort and Convention Centre is expected to become one of the most significant private-sector tourism investments in eastern Nepal. Beyond offering luxury accommodation and event facilities, the project seeks to position Itahari as a regional hub for destination weddings, international conferences, exhibitions, and tourism. If successful, it could reshape the hospitality landscape of Koshi Province and establish eastern Nepal as a competitive destination within the broader South Asian tourism and events market.
