Thamel—the touristic hub of Kathmandu which is deserted for eight months, is gradually back on track. Known for night-life, the city witnesses a slight number of tourists’ influx especially domestic since the government allowed to reopen the hotel and restaurant from July 31.

“The restaurant, bars, and hotel are reopened till 9 PM in Thamel following health protocols after approval from in-charge of Metropolitan Police Circle of Sorakhutte and Durbar Marg,” said Bhabishwar Sharma, vice president at Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC). “However, it’ll take a year to restore the same charm of Thamel until the vaccine fully developed.”

 Sharma further stated that the footfall of the local tourist is slightly increasing as the hotels and restaurants in Thamel launched the affordable package. “Nepali who used to stay the night in Sundhara and Lazimpat, are staying in Thamel’s hotel due to special package set by hotel entrepreneur. Moreover, TTDC is planning to resume other daily tourism activities to boost domestic tourism.”

80 percent of the trade-in Thamel is from an international tourist while 20 percent is from domestic tourists. The landlords in Thamel has provided 50 percent discount rent to prevent the entrepreneurs of the area from being displaced from Thamel. Thamel is home to more than a thousand hotels where 90 percent of tourists visiting Nepal visit there.

According to tourism entrepreneur Sudarshan Nepal, Thamel should be developed as a tourist destination. “The state should benefit by conducting day and night activities in Thamel. “The influx of the tourists have increased during the Dashain and Tihar,” he added.

Khamraj Tiwari, the ward chairperson of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-26, said that Thamel that has an annual turnover of billions should be managed by following health standards. “The government and the business community must work together to restore Thamel,” he added.