Nepal Sees Growth in Star Hotels as Tourism Rebounds

Kathmandu: As the number of foreign tourists visiting Nepal continues to rise, investment in star-rated hotels and resorts has also expanded significantly.

According to the Department of Tourism, Nepal currently has 350 star-rated hotels and resorts in operation, up from 335 last year. Among them, 29 are five-star hotels, reflecting growing investment in the country’s hospitality sector.The existing star hotels and resorts offer a total of 16,613 rooms and 26,285 beds. The Department says new hotels and resorts backed by both domestic and foreign investors are opening in major tourist destinations including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, and Bhadrapur.

To keep pace with global trends, the Department of Tourism is revising the country’s hotel classification standards to align with international benchmarks and incorporate eco-tourism principles. The revised draft is expected to be submitted to the ministry by the end of the Nepali month of Asar.President of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Binayak Shah, said the increasing number of star hotels reflects growing confidence among investors and rising international interest in Nepal as a travel destination. He expressed optimism that higher arrivals of Indian tourists, a more tourism-friendly environment, and the effective operation of international airports will further strengthen the country’s tourism industry.

Hotel entrepreneurs say the surge in investment has contributed to job creation, boosted local economies, and improved tourism infrastructure. They also believe that the entry of international hotel brands is enhancing the competitiveness of Nepal’s hospitality sector.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Nepal’s tourism industry has steadily recovered. The country welcomed 1,147,567 foreign tourists in 2024 and 1,158,459 in 2025. In the first six months of the current year, more than 500,000 foreign visitors have already arrived, indicating continued momentum in the sector.