Rastriya Swatantra Party Convention Boosts Hotel Occupancy in Chitwan

Chitwan. Many hotels in Sauraha, which usually see a bustle of foreign tourists, used to give their employees leave from June to August. Generally, all employees except those involved in hotel security and sanitation would get leave. However, as the first week of June draws to a close, hotels in Sauraha are as full as they are during the main 'season'. It is difficult to find rooms in hotels.

The reason for the crowd in hotel businesses in and around Bharatpur, including Sauraha, is the convention of the 'Rastriya Swatantra Party' (RSP). Hotel entrepreneurs are happy about the increased activity due to the three-day national convention of the 'RSP', the largest political party that recently succeeded in winning nearly a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives elections, which is to be inaugurated in Bharatpur today.

According to the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association Chitwan, the significant presence of domestic and foreign delegates, well-wishers, leaders, cadres, observers, and media personnel coming to attend the RSP's first national convention has led to increased activity. The number of delegates attending the convention is 4,211.

Regional Hotel Association Sauraha Vice-President Gunaraj Thapaliya says that due to the RSP's convention, there has been an unexpected increase in tourists even during the off-season. He said, "With Sundays becoming public holidays, the market was not as deserted as before. Meanwhile, with the announcement of the convention, Sauraha has become bustling. Overall, hotel entrepreneurs here have benefited this year." He mentioned that the approximately 150 hotels in Sauraha have a capacity of seven thousand people.

Hotel Vista operator Ramesh Silwal in Sauraha says that although it is a bit far from the convention venue in Bharatpur, the number of leaders and cadres coming to visit and stay in Sauraha, known as a tourist destination, is significant.

According to hotel entrepreneur Silwal, after the recently concluded convention of the CPN-UML, Sauraha has received publicity and external tourists due to the RSP's convention.

Sauraha's 'restaurant' entrepreneur Dipendra Khatiwada says that the number of people inquiring about hotel stays has increased significantly. According to him, since most of the participants arrived in Chitwan last evening, Sauraha will be full from today.

Most of the 731 hotels and restaurants under the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association that have accommodation facilities are full, according to entrepreneurs. The association's former president Krishna Bhatta says that while it was around 40 percent at this time last year, more than 80 percent of hotels are now full. He said, "Most of the good hotels are full. There are a few remaining in the mid-range." He mentions that those looking for quality hotels have gone to areas like Sauraha.

Bharatpur Garden's General Manager Ghanshyam Chapagain says the hotel has been full for the past two days. Stating that there are no vacant rooms in the hotel for the duration of the convention, he said, "Our hotel is full because the guests who usually come to our hotel have come for the convention."

Ramesh Adhikari, Managing Director of Diyalo Foodland, says that the hotel has been full for about a week due to the hustle and bustle of the convention and meetings. Before the convention, the central committee meeting of the RSP was held at this very hotel on Saturday. Not only in Chitwan, but hotels in Gaidakot, Nawalparasi are also full.

Rabin Pandit, Managing Director of 'The Narayani Resort' in Gaidakot, says that both of his hotels have been full for the past three days.

According to Rajan Gautam, coordinator of the RSP's food and accommodation sub-committee, about 10,000 people have come to Chitwan for the convention. The RSP had previously sent details of hotel rooms to the RSP delegates after requesting them from the hotel entrepreneurs.

According to Gautam, hotel entrepreneurs have arranged rooms and food at a concessionary rate compared to other times. Since the participants have to bear the cost of their own rooms, the number of couples and families coming, thinking they will get to travel, is also large.

The organizers have arranged food only from Monday during the closed session. Since participants have to arrange their own food at other times, this has directly impacted the hotel business, and hotels in Chitwan are now full.