With just two days remaining for the New Year 2025 as per the Gregorian calendar, hotels in major tourist destinations across Nepal are witnessing high occupancy rates, largely driven by domestic tourists. The Jungle Safari Lodge in Sauraha, Chitwan, with 35 rooms, is fully booked for New Year’s Eve. According to Suman Ghimire, the executive director of the lodge, domestic tourists account for 70 percent of the bookings for December 31.
Similarly, domestic tourists constitute more than 60 percent of the bookings at Chitwan-based River Side Resort. Meanwhile, Hotel Mystic Mountain in Nagarkot, Bhaktapur, has reported 70 percent occupancy for New Year’s Eve. Sachin Dangol, the hotel’s online marketing manager, confirmed that most bookings are from Nepali guests, although the figure is slightly lower than last year, when occupancy exceeded 80 percent.
Changing Trends in New Year Celebrations
Tourism entrepreneurs have observed a shift in the way Nepalis celebrate the New Year. While the Nepali New Year (Bikram era) has traditionally been popular, more people are now celebrating the Gregorian New Year. This change has led to an increase in domestic tourist bookings in key destinations such as Nagarkot, Pokhara, and Sauraha.
“Here, Nepalis celebrate the New Year as a festival, which brings a rush of domestic tourists. Of the total 100 percent bookings for New Year’s Eve at our lodge, 70 percent are domestic tourists, while the remaining 30 percent are from India and other countries,” said Ghimire. He added that room rates at Jungle Safari Lodge range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 12,000 per night, depending on the facilities.
In Chitwan, hotel bookings for the New Year have reached 80 percent, according to Ganga Giri, president of Chitwan chapter of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN). He noted that domestic and Chinese tourists form the majority of visitors. Giri added that during the Nepali New Year, domestic tourist bookings typically stand at 40 percent, but for the Gregorian New Year, this figure rose to 60 percent.
Various activities, including festivals and events, are being organized in popular tourist destinations like Pokhara and Chitwan to celebrate the New Year. In Pokhara, the Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race has attracted significant attention, further boosting domestic tourism.
Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) General Secretary Sajan Shakya highlighted the positive trend in tourist arrivals from Christmas through the New Year. Indian and Bangladeshi tourists have notably increased during this period.
“Occupancy rates are good in Kathmandu, with a noticeable rise in Indian tourists, who had been fewer in recent months due to floods and landslides. However, European and American tourist numbers remain low as they typically travel to their home countries during Christmas,” Shakya said.
He also pointed out that overall hotel bookings this year are lower compared to last year.
“Bookings are around 60 percent this year, compared to 80 percent last year. Factors such as a reduction in flights due to 10-hour airport maintenance, higher airfares, and the impact of floods and landslides in late September have negatively affected international arrivals,” he explained.
Positive Trends in Pokhara
In Pokhara, hotel bookings for the New Year stand almost at 80 percent, according to Laxman Subedi, president of the HAN chapter in Pokhara. Subedi, who also owns Sakura Hotel, reported that his hotel has reached 70 percent occupancy for the New Year, with a notable presence of Japanese and domestic tourists. “The current activities in Pokhara have significantly improved the number of tourists,” Subedi said.
Overall, domestic tourism appears to be a driving force in the hospitality sector as the Gregorian New Year approaches, supported by festive activities and a growing preference among Nepalis to celebrate this global occasion.
