October 9: The occupancy in hotels of Nepal has grown with the arrival of tourists in peak season.

“The occupancy till Dashain festival was 65 percent and is believed to go up to 75 percent,” said Binayak Shah, secretary general of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN). He added that the occupancy has been going up as the conference of Non-Resident Nepalis (NRN) is going to be held in Nepal.

NRN representatives have arrived in Nepal at the moment. All of them are international passport holders. He said that the season is appropriate for tourists’ arrival and the booking of hotel rooms has increased because of NRN conference.

“NRNs have been considered as tourists as they hold international passport despite the fact that they are Nepalis,” Shah added.

Shah stated not only NRNs but the number of tourists from neighboring countries like China and India has also grown. The arrival of tourists from China and India in comparison to other countries is high as they can opt to enter Nepal through airways or roadways.

According to estimates made by tourism entrepreneurs, the influx of tourists is expected to be higher than that of the previous year.

Shah said the number of tourists who visit Nepal for business and other purposes has grown along with tourists who visit Nepal for adventure sports and climbing mountain.

“We always label people as tourists only if they come for recreational purpose but there are hundreds of foreigners in Nepal who come for business and reconstruction purpose,” Shah told New Business Age, adding, “People living in Nepal as representatives of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) working for reconstruction projects after the April and May, 2015 earthquakes in Nepal have been contributing in tourism sector of Nepal.”

Likewise, the number of traders and business persons from India and China has grown in Nepal, he further added.