The government has directed the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation to begin the process of leasing out the Rabibhawan-based teaching hotel to the private sector, as per the decision taken by the Cabinet on January 8.

Mohan Krishna Sapkota, spokesperson at the ministry, said the leasehold modality will be adopted based on the recommendation of the Privatisation Unit of the Finance Ministry.

“Though the Privatisation Unit has the expertise on the matter, we are thinking about adopting the Public Private Partnership modality,” Sapkota said.

He added that the government will call for public bidding after the leasehold modality has been finalised.

Basu Sharma, chief at the Privatisation Unit, said they have begun their homework based on the proposal they have received.

Established in 1972 under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Nathm is considered one of the top hotel management schools of the country.

Over 300 students are enrolled with the institute, pursuing various courses on hotel management and tourism. Besides academic courses, Nathm also offers wide range of supervisory and crash courses on front office, housekeeping, food preparation, tour guide and trekking guide, among others.