Kathmandu. Many hotels in Sauraha used to give leave to their staff from June to August. Normally, most of the employees except those involved in the security and cleanliness of the hotel were given leave. But this year, as the first week of June is coming to an end, the hotels in Sauraha are full like the main season. It’s hard to find a hotel room.

The general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is the reason why hotel business in Sauraha and around Bharatpur is crowded.

The three-day national general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the largest political party that won close to two-thirds majority in the recently concluded elections to the House of Representatives, is scheduled to be inaugurated in Bharatpur.

According to Hotel Entrepreneurs’ Association, Chitwan, the attendance of domestic and foreign representatives, well-wishers, leaders and cadres, observers and media persons attending the first national general convention of the party has increased the hustle and bustle. The number of delegates participating in the general convention is 4,211.

Regional Hotel Association Sauraha vice-president Gunaraj Thapaliya said the inflow of tourists was more than expected even in off-season due to the general convention of RSP. He said, “The market was not as deserted as before when Sunday was a public holiday. Meanwhile, with the announcement of the general convention, the hustle and bustle in Sauraha has increased. Overall, the hoteliers here have been benefited this year. He said that there are around 150 hotels in Sauraha with a capacity of 7,000 people.

Hotel Vista Proprietor Ramesh Silwal said the number of leaders and cadres visiting Sauraha despite being some distance from Bharatpur as the venue for the general convention is significant.

According to hotelier Silwa, Sauraha has got foreign tourists due to the general convention of the Rastriya Janajatantra Party (RSP) after the previous general convention of the CPN-UML.

Dipendra Khatiwada, a restaurant entrepreneur from Sauraha, has been getting a lot of enquiries for hotel stays.

Most of the 731 restaurants under the Hoteliers Association are full, according to hotel entrepreneurs. Chamber’s immediate past president Krishna Bhatta shared that around 40 percent hotels occupied, but now more than 80 percent hotels are occupied. He said, “Most of the good hotels are full. There are a few left in the middle class. He said that he had gone to Sauraha and other areas in search of quality hotels.

Ghanashyam Chapagain, general manager of Bharatpur Garden, said the hotel was full for the past two days. Stating that there were no rooms vacant in the hotel during the general convention, he said, “Our hotel is full of guests who come to the general convention at other times.” ‘

Ramesh Adhikari, managing director of Diyalo Foodland, said that the hotel has been full for the past one week. The central committee meeting of the party was held at the same hotel on Saturday before the general convention. Not only in Chitwan, hotels in Gaindakot of Nawalparasi are also full.

Rabin Pandit, managing director of The Narayani Resort in Gaindakot, said that his two hotels have been full for the past three days.

According to Rajan Gautam, coordinator of the food and shelter sub-committee of the RSP, around 10,000 people have arrived in Chitwan in course of the general convention. The RSP representatives had already been sent to the hotel entrepreneurs asking for room details.

According to Gautam, the hoteliers have made arrangements for room and food at a cheaper rate than other times. There is also a large number of husbands, wives and children coming to visit the place saying that they can travel as the participants themselves have to pay for the room.

The organizers have arranged food only in the closed session from Monday. Hotels in Chitwan are now full as the hotel business has a direct impact as the participants themselves have to eat at other times.