Tourism in Thamel, the main hub for tourists, is on the rise this autumn, bringing hope to struggling entrepreneurs. After setbacks from the Gorkha earthquake, trade embargo, and the pandemic, Thamel is witnessing an increase in foreign tourists.
Bhagawan Thapa, a Thamel restaurant owner, noted a significant rise in customers, with 45-50 daily visitors, mostly foreigners, compared to 10-15 previously. Kiran Dev Ghimire, a stationery shop owner, also saw an uptick in foreign tourist traffic but expressed concerns about road maintenance.
Sitaram Regmi, a fancy cloth operator, reported a drop in business volume despite increased tourist activity. On the other hand, Thamel’s hotels are thriving, with higher occupancy rates for the autumn season.
While some hotels are benefiting, Sahadev Dhamala, a hotel owner and vice-chairperson of Thamel Tourism Development Council, emphasized the need to prolong tourists’ stays. In 2023, Nepal welcomed a total of 692,372 tourists via air routes, with 91,012 arriving in September alone, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
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