Hotel Pauwa, a prominent name in Nepal’s hospitality sector, has officially kicked off its inaugural “Taste Festival” in all its branches across the country. The event, which marks the hotel’s 9th anniversary, also includes a special employee recognition ceremony. Under the guiding philosophy of “Where hospitality begins,” Pauwa, established with the mission of providing services that blend Nepalese hospitality with global standards, has grown to operate 17 branches across Nepal.
The “Taste Festival,” which is being celebrated at all of Hotel Pauwa’s branches from Chaitra 25 to 29, offers a unique showcase of Nepalese cuisine and cultural heritage. The event was inaugurated at the hotel’s Yogikuti branch in Butwal by Durga Prasad Bhattarai, the chairman of Hotel Pauwa, along with Dhruba Raj Neupane, the vice-chairman, and Ram Prasad Acharya, the vice-president of the Nepal Journalists Association, Lumbini Province. Bhattarai, who spoke at the opening, highlighted the festival’s role in promoting Nepalese food, culture, and hospitality traditions both nationally and internationally.
The primary aim of the festival is to encourage healthy competition among the chefs across Pauwa’s branches, ensuring the preparation of high-quality dishes that reflect Nepal’s diverse culinary heritage. Bhattarai emphasized that the feedback from guests would further enhance the chefs’ skills, offering valuable experience that will help elevate the overall food quality. He also mentioned the festival’s focus on supporting local farmers by encouraging the use of indigenous food products and vegetables, thus promoting sustainable practices within the hospitality industry.
As part of the celebration, Hotel Pauwa honored outstanding employees for their exceptional performance. The awards ceremony recognized the top performers from various branches, including Chiranjivi Bhattrai from the kitchen department at the Bharatpur branch, Keshav Bhattarai, the manager of the Pokhara branch, and Deepak Bhattarai, a chef from the Bhairahwa branch. Additionally, Ashok Yadav, the accountant from Bhairahwa, and Indira Chaudhary from the Front Office at the Baluwang branch, were also honored. The awardees were celebrated for their dedication and contribution to the company’s growth and success.
Vice-chairman Dhruba Raj Neupane shared that over 200,000 local and international guests had been invited to the event, with invitations being personally delivered to guests across various regions. The festival allowed guests to experience the unique tastes and specialties of Nepali cuisine at no cost, a gesture to appreciate their continuous trust and support for Hotel Pauwa. Neupane expressed confidence that the hotel’s growth in the form of its ‘Mission 100’ initiative aimed at expanding nationwide was fueled by the loyalty of its guests and patrons.
Hotel Pauwa, which began its journey 9 years ago in Lumbini Province, has made significant strides in the hospitality sector. From its humble beginnings, the hotel chain has expanded to 17 branches, creating employment opportunities for over 700 individuals. The company recently completed the first phase of its five-star hotel project, Pauwa Western, in Nepalgunj. The hotel will feature world-class amenities, including an advanced conference hall and a traditional Nepali restaurant. Furthermore, the Nepalgunj branch will also offer extensive facilities, including 96 deluxe rooms, 7 suites, 14 meeting halls, and a casino, spa, gym, and swimming pool.
Hotel Pauwa’s reach has grown beyond Lumbini Province, with services now available in neighboring regions, including Karnali Province’s Jumla, Gandaki Province’s Pokhara, Sudurpashchim Province’s Dhangadhi, and Bagmati Province’s Kathmandu and Sauraha. In Lumbini Province, the hotel operates branches in areas like Bhairahwa’s Children Park, Butwal’s Yogikuti, Dang’s Baluwang, Lamahi, and Ghorahi, and Kapilvastu’s Gorusinge. The hotel’s presence also extends to Palpa’s Tansen and Gulmi’s Resunga, offering high-quality resorts and hotel services. Additionally, branches are operating in Sindhuli’s Mulkot and Khotang’s Halesi.
Looking ahead, the hotel has plans to expand further, with studies underway for potential new locations in Koshi Province and Janakpur in Madhesh Province. An additional hotel is planned for the Sindhuli headquarters, while Pauwa will also establish the Pauwa Banwas Resort in Palpa’s Jhingamara area soon.
Hotel Pauwa’s impact goes beyond hospitality services, it has become a key player in generating local employment and promoting sustainable local agriculture. Bhattarai pointed out that the hotel has significantly contributed to the local economy by creating jobs and supporting local farmers through its procurement of indigenous food products. Furthermore, the hotel’s expansion has helped mitigate the country’s increasing rate of foreign labor migration by providing new employment opportunities within Nepal.
Vice-chairman Dhruba Raj Neupane emphasized that the company’s success is a testament to the potential of collective investment in Nepal. He noted that Hotel Pauwa is an example of how the hospitality industry can drive economic growth and create employment opportunities, especially in rural areas. The hotel’s expansion efforts also align with its mission to develop underutilized land, particularly in hilly regions, and turn them into productive spaces that generate income for local communities.
Hotel Pauwa’s rapid expansion and its focus on promoting Nepali cuisine, culture, and hospitality standards have positioned it as a leader in Nepal’s hospitality sector. The ongoing “Taste Festival” is a celebration of the country’s rich culinary heritage, the company’s dedication to excellence, and its role in shaping Nepal’s tourism and hospitality landscape for years to come.
