FHW Staff – Mumbai
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts and Summit Group of Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of prime minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, to collaborate on the first of four hotels, to be established across Nepal, marking a new era of partnership in tourism between India and Nepal. The Leela Kathmandu, the first of the series, a five-star deluxe hotel to be built in the heart of Kathmandu, is expected to be completed within 36 months.
Summit Group, which has extensive interests in real estate, hotels and allied businesses, will develop the property, while The Leela will market and manage it as part of its award-winning portfolio of eight iconic properties in prime urban and holiday destinations across India.
Emphasising on the crucial role that travel and tourism plays in the economic development of the country, Vivek Nair, chairman and managing director, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts said, “We are delighted to begin our foray in the international markets with Kathmandu. Given the potential of tourism worldwide, we look forward to expanding our footprint in India and overseas.”
Located close to the Narainhity Museum, The Leela Kathmandu will be the first of a series of hotels to be established across Nepal. It will be followed by a hotel in Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha, as part of The Leela Group’s plans to pave a Buddhist Trail from Nepal to Bodhgaya, Nalanda, and Varanasi in India. Other places in Nepal where hotels are being planned under the Leela banner include Pokhara.