Sauraha, Chitwan-the heart of Nepal’s wildlife safari tourism-has become one of the potential areas of investment for hoteliers of Pokhara.

The Hotel Landmark Pokhara is constructing a luxury property the Hotel Landmark Forest Park resort at Baghmara in Chitwan with an outlay of Rs 200 million. The resort is spread over an area of 20 ropanis.

“Our move to diversify investment in Chitwan is due to growing business prospects there,” said CN Pandey, chief executive of the Hotel Landmark.

“Growing demand in the hospitality sector due to improved tourism activities has encouraged us to diversify our portfolios to other areas,” Pandey said, adding that plans are also afoot to develop another property in Lumbini.  

A three-star property Hotel Barahi has constructed a luxury resort-Barahi Jungle Lodge-in Meghauli, Chitwan with an investment of Rs 260 million.  

“We have been engaged in the hospitality sector for many years, and now we are expanding our brand in major tourist cities,” said Biplav Poudel, proprietor of the Barahi Hotel. “We see many opportunities outside Pokhara too.” Poudel said that they were also planning to construct another hotel in Lumbini in the near future.

Likewise, another entrepreneur Suman Shrestha is constructing the Hotel Pride and Spa in Jomsom, Mustang. Shrestha said that he was investing Rs 100 million in the project.

According to travel trade entrepreneurs, more than 30 hotels are in the pipeline in Pokhara. Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara started expanding their infrastructure after the announcement of Nepal Tourism Year in 2011.

 “Among all the tourism products, expansion of the hotel industry has thrived in Pokhara,” said tourism entrepreneur Govinda Raj Pahari. “More than a dozen hotels of Pokhara are expanding their brands outside Pokhara as hoteliers want to cash in on the opportunities elsewhere too.”  Moreover, the lake city is also attracting a large number of investors. As of now, Pokhara has around 600 small and big hotels and lodges.

The city boasts several tourism products including nine lakes including Phewa and Begnas, Barahi Temple in the middle of Phewa Lake, World Peace Stupa, Matepani Monastery, Bhadrakali and Bindyabashini temples, Patale stream, Sarangkot, Mahendra Cave and a regional museum.  The International Mountain Museum and Kahun Tower are other tourist attractions.