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Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort, situated near the renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site Namobuddha, opened its doors to guests on July 24. As part of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, the resort seamlessly blends Dusit’s signature Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with the richness of local culture and traditions.

In an exclusive interview, Kamal Dev Bhattarai and Pratik Ghimire from ApEx sat down with the Group CEO of Dusit International, Suphajee Suthumpun, to discuss Nepal’s tourism landscape and the unique offerings that Dusit can bring to the country. Excerpts:

What is the current status of global tourism? Are we heading towards a pre-pandemic level?

According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, global travel recovery this year is expected to reach 80 percent compared with the pre-pandemic year 2019. However, a closer examination of the industry reveals that the Asia Pacific region has experienced the slowest recovery compared with other parts of the world, with the Middle East leading the way. The study indicates that the Middle East is on track to achieving a better recovery rate than that of 2019 and earlier. Europe follows closely behind, with the Americas coming next.

This year, the Asia Pacific region is projected to recover at a rate of approximately 54 percent. As we are based in this region, it is essential to understand the travel landscape in China, as it greatly influences overall recovery. Due to significant travel restrictions still in place in China, the region has not witnessed the same level of recovery seen in other regions.

Do you think the big countries like China should take some specific majors to ensure fast recovery of tourism in this region?

Each country indeed has its own specific policies when it comes to tourism. While I cannot elaborate on the policies of every country here, it is evident that organizations within the tourism industry hope for each country to recognize the multiple benefits that tourism can bring. Apart from boosting the hospitality sector, tourism also plays a crucial role in generating foreign currency and contributing to the national economy, including its impact on the GDP.

Before the covid pandemic, Nepal had around 1.19m international travelers annually. This year, I have learned that the Nepal Tourism Board anticipates 1m international visitors. We should understand that this 1m will benefit not only hotels and restaurants, but also the local economy.

What are your current projects in Nepal?

We have opened two hotels at the same time in Nepal. We did a soft opening for the Dusit Princess in Kathmandu a few days ago, and we are really honored to inaugurate another one in Dhulikhel on July 24. We also intend to open one in Lumbini, which will happen later this year. I believe that if we connect all of these locations, we will have a solid representation of what a country can offer. 

What will these projects offer here?

What we want to bring in Nepal besides hotels is a global footprint of Dusit Group. From a hotel standpoint, currently we cover 18 countries and Nepal is our 18th country. But if you go into our other businesses too, we are covering 19 countries. We have our business in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and America, pretty much covering the global landscape.

What we bring to Nepal is a commitment to standards, competency, skill, and talent. The hospitality industry’s services are inherently international, necessitating adherence to global standards. This is precisely what we aim to bring here—support for local skilled labor to deliver services at the highest international standards.

As a company, we are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year. In our early days, Thailand, our country of origin, was not a popular tourist destination. Despite this, our founder recognized the need to build hotels of international standards to attract travelers from around the world. I share the same vision for Nepal. Our objective is to introduce luxury, high standards, and exceptional quality to Nepal, in turn, garnering attention and attracting international travelers to this beautiful country.

What does Dusit Group have besides hotels?

Dusit has four business units—hotels, education (hotel related education including culinary), food and property or real estate development. These are our four pillars. 

I am exploring right now but we also intend to bring education here. Our education business has a legacy of 30 years. As the global market has a shortage of skilled labor, our education will help produce skilled human resources and fill the gap, specifically with the hotel related education. This will help Nepalis not only in Nepal but also in the global market. 

Another area we are focusing on is the food industry. While it doesn’t necessarily have to be Dusit-branded food, our aim is to make a significant contribution to this sector. We prioritize maintaining high standards and ensuring quality food products. Health, organic practices, and sustainability are at the core of our food principles. As we expand in the future, we aspire to introduce these values to Nepal, promoting better health and sustainable practices in the local food industry.

How will Dusit contribute to bringing high quality tourism to Nepal?

We evolve over time. A few decades ago, our primary focus was on providing gracious services beyond expectations, and we diligently trained our staff accordingly. However, as new trends emerge, we recognize the importance of evolving and adapting to stay relevant.

One of the trends we have embraced in our offerings is wellness and wellbeing. Nepal, with its richness in spirituality, diverse religions, and vibrant cultural atmosphere, is well-suited for the luxury segment. Therefore, we believe incorporating wellness as a second pillar alongside our services in this hotel is essential.

Furthermore, promoting locality is a significant aspect of our business philosophy. We are committed not only to our own growth but also to the development of the community we operate in. Our resort is situated around the community of Namobuddha, a spiritual tourism spot, and we aim to support the locals by promoting the temple, local stories, environment, and nature to attract more tourists.

I bring along four media with me—National Geographic and Bangkok Post among others—and that is where I want to promote Nepal as a whole. I also took them to different places in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur to promote those places. I feel that there are many untold stories and facts about how Nepal recovered after the 2015 earthquake. People might now know that Nepal has fully recovered. These are our plans to promote locality. 

And we integrate sustainability in all of our business. We train our staff to understand what it means by sustainability.

What are your suggestions to the Nepal government and people to promote tourism in Nepal?

I believe there are rooms for improvement in Nepal’s infrastructure, particularly in the areas of roads, telecommunications, and electricity. For the country to attract quality tourism, these aspects need to be visibly improved and stabilized.

One positive development I have noticed is the progress made at the airport, which is a step in the right direction to welcome more tourists. However, it is crucial to promote the fact that Nepal is fully prepared to host a growing number of tourists, having successfully recovered from the earthquake and pandemic. Additionally, the rich cultural and environmental aspects of Nepal should be well-promoted to entice visitors.

To achieve these goals, the government should actively collaborate with private and multilateral sectors to attract investments. Education and skill development are equally important, as there are still people in Nepal who could earn more if they acquire relevant skills. This can also help bridge the global shortage of skilled human resources and boost the national economy.

For the tourism industry, incorporating a sense of purpose in traveling could set Nepal apart as the preferred choice, rather than just one among many options. While other countries offer various attractions, Nepal can differentiate itself by offering a purpose-driven experience. There are countless captivating stories from Nepal that can add purpose and meaning to the trip for international tourists

The recent Bill on loan-sharking does not seem to have impressed loan-shark victims much as their continued protests continue. Evana Manandhar of ApEx spoke with Nirga Nabin, spokesperson for Meter Bjay Tatha Thagi Birudda Kisan-Majdoor Sangharsa Samiti, to know the reasons behind their continued protest and the way out.

Why are loan-shark victims protesting even after the parliamentary nod for the Bill on loan-sharking?

The Bill has materialized as a result of our protest, but we are not fully satisfied with it as it has not done justice to some of our pressing concerns. The Bill states that charging exorbitant interest rates can land the offender in jail for up to seven years with a fine of Rs 70,000. The lenders’ concern is that corrupt practices, loopholes and a lack of means and resources may weaken the effectiveness of the Bill. 

Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha met and assured loan shark victims of justice, didn’t he?

It is not enough to meet us and give assurances, we must check what he has done for us thus far. Even if a new minister replaces him tomorrow, we want the impactful steps he has taken in our interest to continue. For those lenders, who are close to power holders, rules have been lax. Such people don’t have to pay the fine for delayed payments, while we have no idea what percentage of interest we will have to pay. Interest rates payable to loan sharks are not uniform, either. The victims have to pay a 20 percent interest rate in Surkhet; in some places it is 24 percent and 10 percent in some other places. The interest rate has to be uniform throughout the country.  

Are the protesters and the government holding talks regularly to resolve this problem? 

We had meetings where we discussed how government organizations can use their authority to alleviate our plight. We also asked why banks do not provide small loans at relatively low interest rates. The government can manage all this quite efficiently. We are staging this protest for the sake of our rights like access to bank loans with low interest. 

What’s your take on suppression of your protest?

We are staging a peaceful protest, yet the police are being quite brutal against us. I don’t think I need to say anything on this as we all can see what’s going on.

What’s your bottomline? 

We want this problem resolved at the earliest because it has been affecting many people. There’s a need to deliver justice at the people’s doorsteps as we’ve seen a lot of victims suffering from mental health issues. 

The Nepal Oil Corporation Ltd (NOC), the sole importer and distributor of petroleum products, determines the maximum retail prices of fuels depending on a number of variables, including the price of crude oil in the world market, the cost of transportation, taxes, customs fees, exchange rates, and operational costs. The NOC has now started the Auto Fuel Pricing System and the cost of petroleum products have dropped as a result. Evana Manandhar of ApEx talked to Puskar Karki, deputy director and co-spokesperson of the NOC, to find out how this change will affect us in the long run. Excerpts:

What is the Auto Fuel Pricing System?

The Auto Fuel Pricing System refers to the  process by which the prices of vehicle fuels such as petrol and diesel are decided and regulated based on the tariff it receives from its sole supplier, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). It encompasses a variety of issues and stakeholders, including government agencies, oil firms, and market dynamics.

Every 15 days, we receive a new price from IOC, and we base our price on that, including taxes and other fees. The 2.5 percent profit margin has been lowered to two percent and we have kept no profit on LPG. If the IOC fluctuates the price, we will proceed accordingly.

How is it different from the previous system?

According to the previous system, the government, or the NOC had the authority to adjust the price of petroleum products any time. The adjustment of the price need not be in any pattern or ratio. But with the auto pricing system, the price will be adjusted as per the international market price.

Why did NOC introduce this system?

The NOC introduced the auto fuel pricing system to improve the transparency and consistency of petroleum product pricing in Nepal. Prior to the launch of this system, petroleum products’ prices in Nepal were governed directly by the government. It was up to the government if it wanted to charge a higher price or a lower price. But now, the government or the NOC can’t do so. We have to stick to the international market.

The approach improves transparency in fuel pricing by taking into account the numerous cost components and market factors that influence the final price. It explains how fuel prices are computed and offers customers and stakeholders a clear reason for any price change.

The price of petroleum products has now decreased with the launch of the auto pricing system. Will this trend continue? Will this help the public?

Around five months ago, the price of petrol was Rs 199 and it has dropped to Rs 165. The price of diesel has come down to Rs 145. As international prices have fallen, the price of petroleum products in Nepal has also fallen, which is good for us and the public. 

I can’t guarantee that the price will fall down every time as it will be decided by the international market. But this system will definitely help the public. Inflation is largely determined by the price of petroleum products and once it is reduced, other financial pressures will ease too. 

Will the IOC allow us to continue this system for a long time?

The IOC has nothing to do in the matter. Though we buy petroleum products from IOC only, it’s up to us on which platform will build our pricing system in Nepal. So this system will continue as long as the public extends its support. They should now understand that if there is a price hike, it’s not because of the NOC but the global market.

After the general elections held in November last year, the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) came together to form a coalition government. But the partnership was short-lived, as the two parties fell out over the presidential nominee. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal formed a new coalition with the Nepali Congress, consigning the UML to the opposition benches. On Tuesday, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli spoke in length with Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Akhanda Bhandari and Sambhu Kattel of Annapurna Media Network. Excerpts:

Is the CPN-UML playing an effective role as an opposition?

The CPN-UML is the only party which has a clear vision and mission of nation-building. There has been sufficient discussion on ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ which is and should be the destination of Nepal. The UML has always been clear about this destination and the route to get there. We are also the only party which has a clear position on internal issues such as political, economic and social policies, as well as matters relating to maintaining the external relations. Keeping the welfare of the people and nation at the forefront, we will and have been raising these issues in parliament and streets. So, from this point of view, our role as an opposition remains effective and impactful. We are also playing a vital role to make the government accountable on national issues.

What is your take regarding the government’s anti-corruption initiative?

Selective opening of some corruption files is nothing but a political stunt. The government’s corruption drive is aimed at terrorizing and attacking political opponents. This is not a genuine anti-corruption initiative. The only positive thing is that if more corruption files are opened, there will be public pressure to investigate all corruption scandals, which means those who have evaded justice because of power and position will be prosecuted.   

You have raised the issue of alleged corruption that took place in the Maoist cantonments following the 2006 peace agreement,  could you please elaborate on it?

There have been financial misappropriations in the cantonment. Initially, the Maoist claimed that they had around 34,000 combatants, but the United Nations Mission in Nepal verified only 19,000. Approximately 1,300 combatants were integrated into the national army. But in the initial days, the Maoist leadership took the allowance for all the combatants they claimed they had. Today, the Maoist party-led government is talking about probing corruption scandals, but it has shown any initiative to investigate the corruption that took place in the management of Maoist cantonments. 

When you were in the government, you formed a panel to investigate the Lalita Niswas land grab case, but you didn’t initiate any probe into alleged cantonment corruption. Why?

I was not in a position of taking such a decision from the Cabinet at the time. Yes, I was the prime minister but the party [the erstwhile Nepal Communist Party (NCP) was, in a way, run by the Maoist factions. Later, they left the party.

Is there a chance of the case being investigated in the coming days?

The key factor is public opinion. What will the public say? The lone effort from my party is insufficient. But we believe that there should be impartial investigations into all corruption cases. There shouldn’t be a selective approach like today. Also, I would like to emphasize that it was my government that had started the investigation into Lalita Niwas land grab case.

You oppose Maoist Chair Dahal now, but you and your party did support him as a prime minister.

I took such a decision in order to correct the devastating course of national politics, not the course of our party. But the Maoists did not feel comfortable collaborating with us. So, they decided to part ways with the UML.

Do you think the current corruption investigation is aimed at the main opposition party?

Yes, it is targeted at us, but it will go in vain. Once again, I would like to stress that whoever is involved in corruption must be investigated. 

Let’s talk about the intra-party issue. You introduced the 70 years age limit for the party leader through statutory changes, which recently omitted. What is the reason?  

The provision was omitted because the party deemed it unnecessary. No other parties have such a provision, but the UML decided to put it to the test. We wanted to see whether it could be useful in our party’s context. We removed the age limit after listening to the voice of our colleagues. I can assure you that the decision has not caused any damage to the party. 

But there are talks that by removing the age limit, you want to stay in party leadership for an indefinite period.

I am always seeking an exit from the main leadership of the party. But if some individuals think that they would feel more comfortable had I not been the chairman of the UML, that is a different issue entirely. There is no need to comment on it because it was I who had introduced the age limit provision and it was removed as requested by the party colleagues.

Are there any chances of Bam Dev Gautam returning to the UML?  What position is he likely to get?

We should not focus on the issue of position. Everyone, everywhere is seeking a position and money, this is spoiling the environment. People should be free from money and position.

How do you see the emergence of new parties like the Rastriya Swatantra Party?

The people who are in the party leadership do not have political backgrounds. They are new to politics, without old people as members. So they are picking young people as parliamentarians and in other party departments. They are yet to be tested and their ideology is unclear. 

Do you think new parties pose a challenge to old parties like the UML?  

I don’t consider the new parties as a challenge. They may win some seats, but they are yet to have a robust party structure. They may form committees from the center right down to the grassroots level, but it won’t be a big deal. It is just a process of forming a party. They are criticizing the traditional political parties and their leaders now, but they don’t have anything that they can call it an accomplishment. They have no history and no ideology. But that is not to say that our party is intolerant towards new parties. 

After the election,the UML launched a grassroots campaign to rally supporters. How effectively was the mission, and is it true that the party members have gone down?

It is just a rumor spread by our detractors. The impact of mission grassroots has been very effective, and this will reflect in the result of 2027 general elections. 

You took the leadership to issue a new political map of Nepal by incorporating the disputed territories of Kalapani, Lipulek and Limiyadhura, but there has not been any progress in talks with India. What is your take on it?

We can get our land if we move ahead with substantive talks. The boundary issue should not be blown up unnecessarily and out of proportion by making it a matter of victory and defeat.

Akhanda Bharat and Greater Nepal have found prominence in recent times, how do you see it?

We should not engage in such sentimental and short-lived populist agenda. It will just increase tensions.

How do you rate the performance of the present government in maintaining international relations?   

The government has failed to conduct its foreign policy, there is a mess and there is imbalance. This government is just signing documents prepared elsewhere. We should always raise genuine issues including that of boundaries. 

Of late, there are debates that Nepal should abandon its non-alignment policy. What is your view on this?

This is an irresponsible idea. People who are saying such a thing do not understand Nepal’s geopolitics and are unaware about Nepal’s comprehensive welfare. We should remain neutral and we should not join any military blocs.