E-Kantipur

NARANGADH, JAN 31 - At a time when the country is preparing on war footing for Nepal Tourism Year 2011, Maoist-affiliated sister organisations have been creating disturbances in several hotels of Chitwan, Nepal's one of the top tourist destinations.

With their increasing interference, hoteliers say they have been unable to gear up for the campaign that aims to increase tourist arrivals above the 1 million mark. They say their plans to upgrade facilities and infrastructure has received a blow. 

While some hotels have remained closed, some of those under operation have been experiencing obstructions created by workers affiliated to Maoist union.

Recently, half a dozen hotels in Narayangarh were raided by cadre of Young Communist League, the Maoist youth wing with some of them still remaining closed.

The Maoist affiliated trade union has also troubled hotels by raising the demand of salary hike. "Such acts are surely discouraging us from making additional investment," said a hotelier requesting anonymity. 

"Nobody should show negative attitudes to hotel sector," said Mitra Raj Dawadi, president of Narayangadh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. "With disruptions continuing, visitors still think twice before making hotel reservation."

Tourists will feel insecure following the YCL raid on Jan. 22 taking 13 couples under their control from various hotels, he said. The YCL act has raised hotel entrepreneurs' hackles.

Two hotels -- Del Satanchuli and Uncle Lodge -- situated across the Narayani bridge are still closed after Maoist-aligned squatters' association set up huts on the hotel premises.

Badri Adhikari, one of the directors of Del Satanchuli, said they had to stop all construction works following the obstruction.

Though series of talks were held between the protesters and the management, all ended inconclusively, he said. The hotel, he said, was being constructed targeting the Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Similary, Maoist-affiliated artists are said to have occupied Uncle Lodge and staying there.

On the other hand, workers affiliated to Maoist union has pressurised the hoteliers in Sauraha to hike their salary and facilities. They have been obstructing the daily businesses of hotels, including Wildlife, Green Mansion, Safari Adventure and Park Land Jungle Safari, in Sauraha demanding salary hike.

Prior to this, Hotel Paradise was closed for three months over salary row. Labour dispute also affected Bagmara Wildlife Safari.

"How can we work in such condition?" asked Shankar Sainju, first vice president of Regional Hotel Association. "Entrepreneurs are mentally tortured."

Recent survey of the World Bank also termed labour problem as one of the biggest challenge for conducive investment environment in Nepal.

Entrepreneurs said the frequent obstructions by the Maoist workers in the name of controlling misdoings and protecting the workers' right do not bode well for hotel industry.

However, Anil Sharma, district in-charge of Maoists, said they have created disruptions after "finding some hotels exploiting workers and operating the business illegally".

"We can prove exploitation and breaching of laws by some hotels," claimed Sharma.

Posted on: 2010-01-31 08:34

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