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In Nepal, hospitality is not merely a business. It is a culture, a tradition, and a way of life. From small family-run lodges in the hills to modern hotels in cities and tourist hubs, Nepali hotels offer more than beds and buildings. They offer warmth, care, and genuine human connection. Guests are not seen as mere customers; they are treated as revered visitors. A welcoming smile, attention to small details, and service offered straight from the heart turn hospitality into an experience, not just a convenience. It is not the rooms that define Nepali hotels, but the sincere warmth and heartfelt care of the people who run them. This is why hospitality in Nepal is often called “hospitality from the heart.”

Nepal is a country where the ancient saying “Atithi Devo Bhava” (the guest is like a god) remains deeply respected. This belief is not just spoken; it is practiced every day. When a guest enters a hotel, they are not treated like a room number but welcomed like a family member. A smile at the reception, a warm greeting, and personal attention make guests feel comfortable from the very first moment.

Many travelers who visit Nepal remember not only the mountains and temples, but also the people. Hotel staff often go beyond their job descriptions to help guests, guiding them on local culture, food, festivals, and travel plans. Sometimes, they sit together over tea, listening to stories and talking like old friends. This emotional connection is something money cannot buy.

One special feature of Nepali hotels is personalization. In many places, staff remember guests’ names, food preferences, and travel interests. A casual mention of liking spicy food may result in a customized meal the next day. If a guest falls unwell, staff often check in personally and offer home-style remedies. These small gestures create lasting memories.

Family-owned hotels and lodges play a major role in shaping Nepal’s hospitality identity. Owners and their families are often directly involved in daily operations. Guests may meet them during breakfast or dinner, creating a strong personal bond built on trust and comfort. For many visitors, staying in such hotels feels less like a commercial stay and more like being welcomed into a Nepali home.

Food is another powerful expression of hospitality in Nepal. Hotels proudly serve local dishes prepared with care and love. Traditional meals such as dal-bhat (Thakali thali), momos, and local pickles are often made using family recipes. Many hotels take time to explain the food culture, turning dining into a cultural experience rather than a simple service. Sharing food becomes a way of sharing stories, culture, and emotion.

Nepal’s hospitality industry also reflects resilience and humanity. After natural disasters like earthquakes, and during difficult times such as the Covid-19 pandemic, many hotels opened their doors to support communities. Some provided shelter, food, and assistance to locals and stranded travelers, proving that hotels in Nepal are not just businesses, but responsible members of society.

Respect for nature and sustainability is another important aspect. Many hotels, especially in the Tarai and mountain regions such as Sauraha, Meghauli, and Bandipur, embrace eco-friendly practices. They use local materials, support local farmers, reduce waste, and encourage responsible tourism. Guests are educated about protecting nature and respecting local culture. This care for the environment comes from values rooted in the heart, not just written policies.

Training and professionalism in Nepal’s hospitality sector have improved significantly in recent years. While skills can be taught, what truly sets Nepali hotel staff apart is their attitude. Kindness and sincerity come naturally. A simple “How was your day?” asked with genuine interest can transform a guest’s entire experience.

For international tourists, Nepali hospitality often feels refreshingly different. In a fast-paced, commercial world, the slow, caring, and respectful service in Nepal stands out. Guests feel seen, valued, and remembered. Many return again and again—not only for the destinations, but for the people they met along the way.

For domestic travelers, hotels are spaces of celebration and comfort. Weddings, family gatherings, business meetings, and festivals are hosted with care and emotional understanding. Hotel teams recognize the meaning behind each occasion and work hard to make every event memorable.

The future of Nepal’s hospitality industry looks promising. As hotels grow and modernize, it is essential to protect the heart of hospitality. Technology, luxury, and design matter, but they should never replace human warmth. The true strength of Nepal’s hotels lies in their people, their smiles, respect, and willingness to serve with sincerity.

In conclusion, hotels in Nepal are more than rooms and facilities. They are spaces of connection, culture, and care. Hospitality from the heart is not a slogan here; it is a daily practice. Guests may forget the room number, but they never forget how they were made to feel. That feeling of being truly welcomed is the real luxury of Nepali hospitality.

In Nepal, guests may check out of a hotel, but they never check out of the hearts that welcomed them. Long after the doors close and the journey continues, it is the kindness, smiles, and genuine care that remain alive in memory. That is why Nepal’s hotels are not defined by walls or rooms, but by the warmth of the souls inside, where hospitality is felt, not just offered, and every guest leaves feeling less like a visitor and more like family.

International visitor arrivals (IVAs) in 2025 reached 1,158,459 between January and December, slightly higher than in 2024 and marking a 97 percent recovery compared to the pre-pandemic period. December 2025 alone recorded 98,190 arrivals, up seven percent from December 2024 and also representing a 97 percent recovery compared to December 2019.

India remained the largest source market with 292,438 visitors (25.2 percent), followed by the United States with 112,316 (9.7 percent), China with 95,480 (8.2 percent), the United Kingdom with 58,684 (5.1 percent), and Bangladesh with 57,545 (5.0 percent). 

Region-wise, South Asia accounted for the highest share of arrivals at 35.2 percent, followed by other Asian countries (21.9 percent), Europe (19.1 percent), the Americas (11.7 percent), Oceania (4.6 percent), the Middle East (1.8 percent), Africa (0.4 percent), and other regions (5.5 percent). 

Meanwhile, tourism-related foreign currency earnings during the first four months of fiscal year 2082/83 (Shrawan to Kartik) stood at Rs 27.15bn, while foreign direct investment commitments in the tourism sector reached Rs 30.26bn across 476 projects during Shrawan to Mangsir of the same fiscal year.

Lumbini Province has been officially declared a literate province, following the fulfillment of national literacy standards. The declaration was made during a special ceremony held in the provincial capital on Sunday.

Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya formally announced Lumbini as a literate province at the event.

Under Schedule 8 of the Constitution and the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, responsibility for secondary education, non-formal education, and literacy programs lies with local governments. As per Government of Nepal provisions aligned with UNESCO standards, a province can be declared literate when at least 95 percent of the population aged between 15 and 60 is literate. Literacy is defined not only as the ability to read and write, but also basic numeracy skills and practical competencies such as daily transactions, banking, mobile phone use, and understanding time and dates.

Lumbini Province met these criteria, leading to the declaration. All 12 districts of the province have already been declared literate. Districts including Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Dang, Rupandehi, Banke, and Kapilvastu have recorded literacy rates exceeding 96 percent.

The province has also seen notable improvement in academic outcomes. The Secondary Education Examination (SEE) pass rate increased from 38.65 percent in the academic year 2024 to 62.06 percent in 2025.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Acharya said education has been globally prioritized as a key driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that Lumbini Province has made significant progress despite its social and cultural diversity. He added that campaigns have been launched to improve education and that necessary laws are being formulated to facilitate educational reforms.

Former Chief Minister and leader of the Nepali Congress parliamentary party, Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, said the province has performed well in the education sector but stressed that sustainability is more important than declarations. Recalling the ‘Sakshar Laltein’ (Literacy Lantern) campaign he initiated during his time as a social activist, Chaudhary said Lumbini’s efforts should serve as a model for other provinces.

Social Development Minister Janmajay Timilsina highlighted that education, health, and per capita income are the main indicators of human development globally. Among them, he said, education plays the most crucial role and has a positive impact on other indicators as well. He added that the provincial government will continue to prioritize lifelong learning even after the literacy declaration.

According to Rishiraj Sharma, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Social Development, Lumbini Province has achieved notable progress through literacy campaigns, expansion of educational infrastructure, and improvement in learning outcomes. He said the next priority will be to expand quality, inclusive, technical, and employment-oriented education.

A wide range of institutions have been directly or indirectly involved in literacy, lifelong learning, non-formal, and alternative education programs in the province. These include the Ministry of Social Development, the Education and Social Development Directorate, education training centers, Lumbini Technological University, 12 Education Development and Coordination Units, six Social Development Division Offices, 109 local governments, a provincial-level Madrasa Education Coordination Committee, 4,439 community schools, 5,722 community-based early childhood development centers, and 329 community information centers.

Individuals and institutions contributing to the education sector were also honored at the event.

Education status

According to 2024 data, Nepal’s Human Development Index (HDI) stands at 0.622, while Lumbini Province ranks fourth nationally with an HDI of 0.608. Under the federal government’s ‘Literate Nepal’ campaign, the goal is to ensure minimum literacy for all citizens aged 15 and above. The Cabinet-approved ‘Literate Nepal Year 2020’ concept emphasizes building a foundation for lifelong learning.

The Second Periodic Plan targets increasing the literacy rate for the population aged five and above from 78.08 percent to 98 percent. Plans include linking literacy with skills and income generation, developing alternative programs for out-of-school children, and strengthening community information centers, early childhood development centers, and educational institutions.

Education is constitutionally guaranteed as a fundamental right. Article 31 of the Constitution ensures free and compulsory basic education and free secondary education for all citizens. It also provides for inclusive education for persons with disabilities, economically disadvantaged groups, and individuals with special needs, along with the right to receive education in one’s mother tongue.

Gold prices in the Nepali market continued to decline on Thursday. After dropping by Rs 1,100 on Wednesday, the price of gold fell by Rs 1,400 today.

According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Traders’ Association, the price of one tola of gold is now Rs 259,600, down from Rs 261,000 on Wednesday.

Silver prices also decreased, falling by Rs 55 to Rs 4,415 per tola. On Wednesday, the same quantity of silver was traded at Rs 4,470.