NATIONAL 6 -(Spotlight Weekly)]

The Rural Ambience

A leading tourism entrepreneur translates his vision into reality in the form of a beautiful resort to the south of the capital

By Bhagirath Yogi

Planning to visit Kathmandu this fall? Here is an address where you can enjoy panoramic views of majestic Himalayas away from the crowds of the capital.

Central Godavari Resort : Magnificent setting

Located 14 kms away from the city center and Tribhuvan International Airport, Central Godavari Resort (CGR) houses cottages built and spread in over 135 ropanis (approx. 14 acres) of undulated landscape garden. Set on the banks of a lazy meandering stream amidst a lush green terraced valley, with the magnificent backdrop of the mighty Himalayan snow clad peaks, the Resort offers the finest traditions of Nepali hospitality combined with international standards of luxury and personalized service.

Within this marvelous setting are 68 well appointed spacious rooms, including 4 suites, for the ultimate in luxurious comfort. Standard features in all rooms include color TV, IDD telephone and a well-stocked mini-bar. A Coffee shop, a Nepali-Indian restaurant, one large Banquet hall (capacity 250 people in the theater style seating) and two smaller rooms (capacity 40 and 20 each) are added attractions.

An ideal choice for receptions, business meetings and conferences, the conference hall is well equipped and uniquely situated to offer amazing views of the surrounding mountain vista. Two additional board rooms open on to a sun deck verandah. Full secretarial back-up services are available for corporation presentations.

A member of central hotel and resort group in Thailand, the hotel offers an array of choice-international and local cuisine at the coffee shop, and exotic flavors at the Nepali-Indian specialty Vaijayanta Garden Restaurant. You can enjoy your barbecue amid the songs of birds and bees in the perfect valley setting. Other recreational facilities include a swimming pool, clay tennis courts, billiards room, gym, jacuzzi, sauna and massage, as well as mountain biking for adventure trails.

A new hotel block : Full of style

The resort also has a well equipped Trekking Center and Library. Those who love brief trekking can go for a day-long trek to Phulchowki, the highest point in the valley. Time spent here will be sure to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.

Amongst the popular local attractions are Royal Botanical Garden and Bajra Barahi temple. For those who love trekking, a day trek to Murali Mountain, Santaneswor Mahadev temple, and Phulchowki Mountain, the highest point in the valley, will be the most memorable one.

And, who is behind all this? He is Shridhar P. Acharya, managing director of Greenwich Group of Hotel and Resort that owns the CGR.

Acharya, 59, began his career humbly picking up sundry jobs. He also served at the Royal Nepalese Army for two and half years. Turning point in his life came when he joined Hotel Soaltee as a typist clerk in the early sixties. It was a long journey from the pay of Rs 80 a month till when he took voluntary retirement in 1982.

Having acquired experience from the only five-start hotel in Nepal at that time, Acharya got involved in opening, managing or running agencies including Gorkha Travels, Holiday Nepal Travels, Everest Express Travels, Gokarna Safari Park, Kakani Mountain Resort, Nook Hotel, Casino Nepal etc. He was also actively involved in the establishment of Himalayan Tea Garden and Surya Tobacco Company, Simara.

Acharya is perhaps the first tourism entrepreneur in Nepal to bring in more than 40,000 Indian tourists in a package within one year through promotional programs in various Indian cities in 1976. After some disputes in the course of time, he left for India and worked as a construction contractor at Hyderabad. He returned home in 1986 and opened a 10-room Greenwich Village hotel. The hotel has now been expanded to 50-room and has acquired the four-star status.

Trained in hotel management, construction, planning and marketing from Switzerland, Germany and Japan, Acharya worked on his project to develop a village resort since the early nineties. He acquired land in 1991 and started construction of the project in 1994. The five-room hotel came into operation in November 1996, which has now been developed into a 68 room full-fledged resort. Committed to the protection and promotion of ancient norms and values, Acharya wants the young generation to take our rich value system.

A graduate in commerce from Tri-Chandra College, Acharya believes in the philosophy of 'Srimadbhagavadgita': "Do thy work the reward is not thy concern." He still works 18 hours a day.

Acharya : A man with vision

Acharya thinks that only handicraft, hydropower and tourism are sustainable industries in Nepal. To promote them, there should be tax and other incentives, he said. "The government should support and promote national entrepreneurs because whatever we develop is the national property," said Acharya, pointing at the sprawling facilities in his resort. The government has provided his resort a 7-year-long tax holiday, which he thinks is a right step. "How can we pay tax when we don't make profit. So, the bureaucracy should not squeeze national entrepreneurs and understand that the country can't make progress unless industries flourish here."

With occupancy of nearly 45 percent, the Resort has targeted up-market tourists from Europe, Japan and the US, among others, as its clients. The wood carvings, houses and roofs all reflect typical Nepali style. "I have the plans to expand this Resort to 100-bed capacity in the next five years," says Acharya, who designed, constructed, supervised and even undertook interior decoration at the Resort on his own. Most of the 160 staff employed at the Resort is locals. "Each and every brick in the Resort knows me," said Acharya.

Besides attracting the holidaymakers, trekkers, professors and environmentalists, national and international offices based in Kathmandu and Nepali people also make up the clientele at the Resort. You can cool this summer off at the swimming pool here and also enjoy a lunch by paying fixed charge on holidays.

Having already spent more than Rs 500 million-out of which nearly Rs 80 million was a loan from Rastriya Banijya Bank-on his "dream project," Acharya is hopeful that he can make break even in the next two years. He, however, laments that there is no healthy competition among Nepali tourism professionals. "The growth of tourism in Nepal is in total disarray. The main problem lies in the government policy," he said.

Whoever spends sometime at the Resort returns with unforgettable memories. "I have been to many countries in the world, but Nepalis are the only people who have open hearts and are always smiling," said Sigi Hupfauer, a German mountain guide and tour leader who climbed the Mt. Sagarmatha in 1978. "Tourism in Nepal has a good future. The government should open more areas for tourists and tourists should be allowed to visit areas like Mustang even without the liaison officers," he said.

What about the Central Godavari Resort? "This is a very good resort. Food, service, everything here is very good. Moreover, you can enjoy seeing mountains from here away from the city crowds," said Hupfauer. "Nepal is a heaven."

And, this Resort has emerged as a jewel in the heaven for those who love Nepal and Nepalis.