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Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) has raised serious concerns over media reports regarding the stock of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) found during a government inspection at a five-star international chain hotel in Kathmandu.

Issuing a statement, HAN said the LPG stored at the hotel was maintained strictly for cooking and hospitality operations and was in line with the hotel’s number of guests, bookings and the volume and type of food being prepared.

The association argued that the quantity of LPG required by a large hotel should not be compared with that of an ordinary business, given the scale and nature of hotel operations.

According to HAN, hotels employ large numbers of staff and workers and provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and other food services to domestic and international guests every day. Hotels also regularly host conferences, seminars, meetings, celebrations, banquets and other large-scale events, resulting in substantially higher LPG consumption.

The association said maintaining sufficient LPG stocks to ensure uninterrupted hotel operations, guest services and food safety should not automatically be interpreted as an indication of hoarding or black-market activity.

HAN says LPG is essential for uninterrupted hotel operations

HAN said hotels operating in full compliance with government laws and regulations need a reliable supply of essential commodities such as LPG to maintain their services.

It warned that without a guaranteed and regular supply of cooking gas and other essential commodities, hotels could face difficulties in providing international tourists with the quality of service expected from internationally recognized hospitality brands.

The association expressed concern that one-sided or impractical government directives issued in the name of monitoring could disrupt hotel operations and make it difficult for businesses to provide uninterrupted services.

“Hotels need to maintain adequate stocks based on their operational requirements. This should not simply be interpreted as hoarding or black-market activity,” the association said in its statement.

Naming hotels publicly could hurt Nepal’s tourism image

HAN also objected to the public identification of a prominent hotel in media reports concerning the inspection.

The association warned that publicly naming a reputed hotel in connection with an inspection could damage the reputation of the individual establishment as well as Nepal’s broader tourism image.

It urged the concerned government agencies not to create unnecessary fear and uncertainty in the hospitality sector under the guise of monitoring.

According to HAN, Nepal is attempting to strengthen its international tourism image and attract more foreign visitors, making the reputation of internationally recognized hotels particularly important.

The association said any issues identified during government inspections should first be assessed on the basis of facts, operational requirements and applicable laws before being presented publicly.

Calls for Tourism Ministry coordination

HAN has also called for greater coordination between government agencies involved in monitoring hotels.

Since tourism-related businesses fall under the broader jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, HAN argued that inspections of hotels conducted by other government agencies should be carried out with the ministry’s knowledge and coordination.

The association said it was ready to provide its expertise and facilitate government inspections involving the hotel and hospitality industry.

It emphasized that effective regulation does not mean eliminating oversight, but ensuring that inspections are conducted in a coordinated, professional and sector-sensitive manner.

Hotel industry says its operational requirements must be understood

HAN stressed that hotels are sensitive businesses providing essential hospitality services and operating under highly specific day-to-day requirements.

It said government monitoring and regulation should therefore take into account the operational realities of hotels while ensuring full compliance with existing laws, regulations and government standards.

The association called for inspections to be conducted in a coordinated, dignified and fact-based manner.

It also warned that presenting issues identified during inspections in a one-sided manner through the media could damage not only the reputation of individual hotels and business operators but also Nepal’s image in the international tourism market.

“Such issues can have an impact not only on the reputation of the hotel industry and entrepreneurs but also create a negative perception internationally,” HAN said.

HAN offers cooperation for long-term solution

The association said it remains ready to work with the government to find practical and long-term solutions to issues affecting the hotel industry.

HAN called for stronger coordination among ministries, departments, government agencies and industry associations to address operational challenges facing hotels.

It also reiterated its commitment to supporting the government during periods of crisis, as it has done in the past.

The association said it would continue providing support and cooperation whenever necessary to facilitate solutions to problems affecting the tourism and hospitality sector.

LPG stored for service, not resale

HAN specifically clarified that LPG cylinders stored at hotels are intended for commercial cooking and hospitality services, rather than for resale or profit-making distribution.

The association urged government agencies to understand this distinction when evaluating LPG stocks at hotels.

According to HAN, LPG kept in hotel premises is required to prepare food for guests, employees and large-scale events conducted within hotel facilities.

“LPG available at hotels is not intended for sale or distribution for profit or to encourage black-market activities. It is strictly for business and service purposes,” the association said.

International hotel kitchens require specialized assessment

HAN also urged government inspection teams to understand the technical and managerial systems involved in operating large international hotel kitchens.

According to the association, kitchens operated by major international hotel brands are specialized industrial facilities with distinct equipment, operating procedures, safety requirements and management systems.

It therefore called on government authorities to obtain adequate technical and operational information before reaching conclusions during inspections.

HAN said inspection decisions should not be unilateral or arbitrary and should instead be based on an understanding of how large-scale hotel kitchens operate.

The association’s response comes amid heightened government monitoring of essential commodities and commercial establishments. While regulatory oversight remains necessary to prevent hoarding, black marketing and misuse of essential goods, HAN has urged authorities to distinguish between commercial stock maintained for legitimate operational requirements and inventory intended for illegal resale or profiteering.

The association said a balanced approach would allow the government to enforce regulations without disrupting hotel operations or undermining Nepal’s reputation as an international tourism destination.