The total number of establishments offering residential and hospitality services in Nepal, including hotels, lodges, resorts, homestays, guest houses, hostels, restaurants, and catering/party venues, has reached 142,233.

According to the National Hotel and Restaurant Survey Report for 2080 BS, published by the National Statistics Office on January 1, Bagmati Province leads with the highest number of such facilities at 52,123, while Karnali Province has the lowest at 7,110. The other provinces report the following numbers: Koshi Province has 25,887 establishments, Madhesh Province has 11,740, Gandaki Province has 16,976, Lumbini Province has 20,158, and Sudurpaschim Province has 8,228.

This survey, described as Nepal’s first integrated national report on hotels and restaurants, shows that the sector directly employs 106,459 people. Including unpaid family workers, the total workforce in this industry rises to 387,747. The report also reveals that the sector has expanded significantly compared to the previous Hotel and Lodge Survey conducted in 2060 BS, which only covered star hotels, resorts, and non-star hotels, making the current findings far more comprehensive.

The hospitality sector has made substantial economic contributions. Employees collectively receive Rs 20.615 billion annually in salaries and benefits, while operational costs amount to Rs 216.738 billion per year. These establishments generate services valued at Rs 326.104 billion annually, contributing about Rs 109.27 billion in added value to Nepal's economy. Additionally, these facilities hold permanent assets worth Rs 543.258 billion, and 28.4% of them have secured loans from financial institutions.

Hotels and lodges across Nepal have the capacity to accommodate 2.23 million people at a time, underscoring their critical role in the nation’s tourism and hospitality landscape. -- RSS