The report highlighted a significant rise in hotel occupancy rates in Lumbini Province for the fiscal year 2080/81, though the overall rate remained below 40%, underscoring ongoing challenges in the tourism industry.
According to the NRB’s “Economic Activity Study of Lumbini Province 2080/81,” the hotel occupancy rate in the province rose by 13.87%, reaching 38.53% compared to 33.86% in the previous fiscal year (2079/80). The findings are based on data collected from 15 tourist-grade hotels across the province, including nine in Rupandehi, three in Banke, and one each in Palpa, Arghakhanchi, and Kapilvastu districts.
The rise in occupancy is partly attributed to the impact of the Gautam Buddha International Airport, which has spurred the construction of numerous hotels and restaurants in Rupandehi and nearby districts. This development underscores the potential for growth in the region’s tourism infrastructure.
Despite these advancements, the number of Indian tourists visiting the selected hotels declined by 5.39%, dropping to 132,143 during the review year. This decrease negatively affected overall occupancy rates. However, the study highlights that domestic tourism saw improvements, which contributed to an increase in hotel beds, employment, and overall occupancy rates.
In the review year, the total number of hotel beds in the selected hotels increased by 8.07%, reaching 1,272. Room and bed sales also saw significant growth, climbing by 22.97% to 178,900 compared to the previous year.
The employment scenario in the province’s hotel sector also showed improvement, with the selected hotels employing 961 workers, including 722 men and 239 women.
The report emphasizes the growing importance of domestic tourism in sustaining the hospitality sector in Lumbini Province, even as the region works to attract more international tourists. The NRB’s findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders seeking to enhance tourism’s contribution to the local economy.
