142,223 hotels & restaurants across Nepal, 71.6% without loans

KATHMANDU: The National Statistics Office of Nepal has reported that the total number of hotels and restaurants in the country has reached 142,223.

During a press conference held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, the office revealed that the survey conducted for the fiscal year 2022/2023 found that 142,223 establishments in Nepal provide accommodation and food services.

The number of operators running these hotels and restaurants stands at 387,747.

According to public statistics, a total of 106,459 individuals are employed across the 142,223 hotels and restaurants in Nepal.

The data also indicates that these establishments spend approximately Rs 20.61 billion on salaries, wages, and benefits for their salaried workers.

The total value of operations for the hotels and restaurants is estimated at Rs 216.73 billion, producing services worth approximately Rs 326.11 billion.

These businesses have contributed around Rs 109.27 billion to the country’s economy.

Additionally, the value of permanent assets owned by these establishments is approximately Rs 543.25 billion.

Madhusudan Burlakoti, the Chief Statistician at the National Statistics Office, mentioned that international and national standards were followed as much as possible during the data collection process.

However, he noted the challenges faced by enumerators, stating that although the process adhered to proper standards, the support and facilities provided to the enumerators were insufficient.

He also shared that about 28.4% of the hotels and restaurants have taken loans from financial institutions, while 71.6% have not borrowed money.