DHUMPUS, Jan 31: Hoteliers in Dhumpus - a popular tourist village in Kaski district - are developing infrastructures, expecting a healthy rise in tourist arrival during Nepal Tourism Year 2011. Some entrepreneurs are opening new hotels while others are adding rooms and facilities to accommodate more visitors.
Dhampus at present has 17 hotels and lodges with the capacity of accommodating 300 tourists per night.
“New hotels are coming up in Dhampus anticipating rise in tourist arrivals. Those that are already under operation are adding rooms and facilities,” said Dal Bahadur Gurung, chairman of Century Tourism Entrepreneurs´ Association.
Gurung, who is also the owner of Dhawlagiri View Hotel, says Dhampus receives a huge flow of domestic and international tourists during peak season. As the number of tourists exceeds hotel rooms available here, local households have been accommodating visitors at their homes under home-stay program.
“New infrastructures are being developed to make visitors´ stay at the hotel more comfortable,” he added.
Gurung told Republica that he was also adding new facilities at Dhawlagiri View Hotel. “We are adding sauna bath, table tennis board and basket ball court among others at the cost of Rs 2 million. We also have plans to spend on interior decoration,” he added.
Almost 70 percent of tourists visiting Dhampus are domestic visitors. Local entrepreneurs charge domestic visitors 50 percent less than foreign visitors.
