Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) is bringing a four star teaching hotel into operation by next year aiming to enhance the standard of its training and also to attain self-sustainability. The hotel will be the first ever star rated teaching hotel of Nepal.

Keshab Raj Siwakoti, officiating executive director of NATHM, which is engaged in producing skilled workforce for the hotel and tourism industry since 1972, said the hotel is being constructed within the premises of NATHM in Rabi Bhawan.

"We have already invested Rs 150 million and additional Rs 155 million might be required to bring it into operation as a full fledged four star hotel," he said, adding that the total investment will go over Rs 350 million.

The hotel will feature 82 rooms, four apartments and two penthouses. Besides, it will have three restaurants, a swimming pool, seminar halls along with other services of international standard.

NATHM is planning to give the hotel to one of the hotel chains who will look over its management. "Talk is ongoing with hotel chains and we will soon be signing the agreement," Siwakoti said the operation would begin by 2013.

Officials of the academy are hopeful that the hotel will not just be a training place for students but will also help NATHM to self-sustain, which until now is relying on government budget.

The hotel will have the capacity to train 360 students on rotation basis and 160 students at a time.

He further said they were yet to work of room tariff and other services which will be made available to guests.

More than 8,000 students have received education from this academy. NATHM offers courses on Master of Hospitality Management and Bachelor of Hotel Management and Bachelor of Travel and Tourism Management along with training courses of tour guide, trekking and others.

source: republica,21 April 2012