The District Hotel Business Association Kathmandu (DHBA) successfully organized a grand event yesterday to officially launch the calendar for the Nepali year 2082. The unveiling ceremony took place at Hotel Crystal Pashupati in Kathmandu and was marked by a significant presence of tourism and hospitality stakeholders. The event was held in the distinguished presence of the Speaker of Bagmati Province, Honorable Bhuwan Pathak, who graced the ceremony as the chief guest.
The program brought together a diverse gathering of tourism and hotel industry leaders. Senior Vice President of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Federation, Sheru Thapa, General Secretary T.R. Bhandari (Shankar), and Secretary Mitra Dhakal were among the notable attendees. The ceremony also saw participation from the President of the Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association Bagmati Province, Damodar Nepal, as well as a central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Treasurer of the FNCCI Kathmandu Chapter, Naniraj Ghimire.
Moreover, several advisors of the association, presidents and representatives from various units, and numerous hotel entrepreneurs affiliated with the association were also present, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the program.
One of the key highlights of the event was the special felicitation of newly elected office bearers from Kathmandu district to the Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Bagmati Province. DHBA honored Damodar Nepal, who was elected as President; Sunil Aryal as General Secretary; Ram Krishna Basnet as Joint Secretary; Lalit Jung as Joint Treasurer; and Bed Prasad Lohani as Member.
These individuals were commended for their commitment to advancing the hotel and tourism industry and were presented with congratulatory mementos in recognition of their achievement in the recently concluded third provincial convention.
In addition to acknowledging the new leadership team, the association also took the opportunity to honor several distinguished personalities who have been appointed as advisors to the organization. Among them was DHBA’s founding president and chief advisor, Shailesh Karki, who has long contributed to shaping the association’s strategic direction.
Former Vice President of Nepal Tourism Board, Chandra Rijal; NRNA’s Deputy General Secretary and Government of Nepal’s Tourism Promoter, Som Nath Sapkota; film producer and successful Hong Kong-based entrepreneur, Rabin Kumar Nalbo; renowned environmental conservationist and mountaineer, P.K. Sherpa; and legal advisor Rishiram Upadhyay were all honored with certificates in appreciation of their contributions and new advisory roles.
Advisor Som Nath Sapkota remarked that warm hospitality and excellent service by hoteliers leave lasting impressions on tourists, shaping the nation’s image. He encouraged everyone to focus on enhancing service quality and guest experience. President of Ekata Hotel and Guest House Business Association, Saroj Ale, urged DHBA to create a conducive environment for hotels in Kathmandu to operate safely and continuously, 24/7. Likewise, DHBA President Dhruba Karki expressed concerns that small and medium hotel entrepreneurs continue to face challenges due to the unsupportive attitude of law enforcement agencies.
Addressing the attendees, Chief Guest Hon. Bhuwan Pathak emphasized the evolving dynamics of the tourism sector. He urged entrepreneurs to be prepared for the changing demands of the industry and reassured that the provincial government is committed to supporting necessary legal reforms and policy improvements. His remarks echoed a strong commitment to strengthening the legislative framework to foster the growth of tourism and hospitality businesses.
Speaking on behalf of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Federation, Senior Vice President Sheru Thapa reiterated the federation’s proactive approach in addressing the challenges faced by hotel operators. He assured the participants that the federation remains continuously engaged in safeguarding the interests of hospitality businesses and pushing for progressive reforms.
Similarly, newly elected Bagmati Province President Damodar Nepal extended his heartfelt gratitude to the District Hotel Business Association Kathmandu for the warm congratulatory gesture. He shared that such recognition adds motivation and encouragement to their commitment to serve the tourism sector with greater energy. He further pledged to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure sustainable development of the hotel and tourism industry in the region.
The calendar launch event not only celebrated the beginning of a new Nepali year but also symbolized the unity and shared vision among stakeholders in Nepal’s growing tourism economy. Through this program, DHBA once again demonstrated its dedication to uplifting the standards of the hospitality industry while fostering collaboration among key actors, from entrepreneurs to policy-makers and advisors.
As Nepal continues to position itself as a leading destination in South Asia, initiatives like these play a crucial role in recognizing leadership, encouraging reform, and promoting harmony among hotel and tourism professionals. The association aims to build upon such engagements to ensure Kathmandu district remains a prominent hub for tourism excellence in the years ahead.
The program witnessed enthusiastic participation from all seven units under DHBA. During the event, Worldlink introduced a special internet package tailored for hoteliers, and Kaha Inc provided a demonstration of their hotel-centric mobile app. Additionally, the calendar publication received support from several organizations, including Sumegh Holidays, Valley Cold Store, Sky Walk, Alpha Millennium, and Royal Fiber.
The program, chaired by DHBA President Suresh Baral, began with a welcome speech by Senior Vice President Bhavishwar Dube. Vice President and Coordinator of the Calendar Publication Subcommittee, Manohari Kandel, extended special thanks to all companies, institutions, and individuals who supported the calendar publication. The event was smoothly hosted and conducted by General Secretary Shailendra Bikram Thapa.
This calendar launch not only celebrated the dawn of a new Nepali year but also served as a significant platform for recognizing leadership, promoting unity, and reinforcing a shared vision for the development of Nepal’s tourism and hospitality industries. DHBA continues to show its commitment to raising industry standards and fostering collaboration among key actors to ensure Kathmandu remains a vibrant and leading tourism hub.
