Tiger Palace Resort in Bhairahawa, which typically enjoys over 70% occupancy during the peaks season of tourism, has seen a surge in online bookings of late. CEO Deepak Lekhak explains that bookings began increasing a few days before international airlines started regular flights to Gautam Buddha International Airport on November 8. The rise in bookings has mainly come from Kuwait, Dubai, and Qatar, with an 8 to 10% increase in the last 10 days. These bookings are primarily made by representatives of companies that employ Nepali workers, who stay for one or two nights.
In response, the resort is planning to boost its marketing activities in the Gulf countries. Opened in 2017 with an investment of Rs 6 billion, the resort’s main clientele has been from India. Hotel owners believe the new airport will benefit the region, especially with improved infrastructure supporting their business.
At present, airlines such as Nepal Airlines, Qatar Airways, Jazeera, Fly Dubai, and Thai Air Asia are flying to and from Bhairahawa. However, most passengers are Nepali migrant workers, with only Thai Air Asia bringing in tourists. Hotel owners are calling for flights from other countries, such as Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and China, to bring in more visitors.
While the increase in international flights has brought more activity to local hotels, there are concerns about whether these flights will sustain in the long run. With Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu undergoing upgrades and closure for 10 hours each night, many flights have temporarily moved to Bhairahawa. However, hotel owners worry that once the upgrades are finished, flights may return to Kathmandu, leaving the GBIA desolate again. Chandra Prakash Shrestha, chairman of the Bhairahawa-Rupandehi chapter of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), points out that essential services like labour permits, health checks, insurance, and visa services are still needed to ensure the airport’s long-term success.
In Bhairahawa alone, investors have poured in around Rs 80 billion in hotels, including five-star and four-star properties. Hoteliers fear that if international flights stop at Gautam Buddha Airport, their businesses and the local economy could suffer.
Gautam Buddha International Airport opened on May 16, 2022, with Jazeera Airways launching the first international flight. After a temporary pause, regular international flights resumed on November 8 due to the partial closure of Kathmandu's airport for upgrades.
