Krishna Prasad Timalsina appointed general manager of Royal Tulip Chitwan

KATHMANDU: Royal Tulip Chitwan has appointed Krishna Prasad Timalsina as its general manager, KTM Hospitality — the operator of the resort — announced on Thursday.

Timalsina, a hotelier with 30 years of international experience, took charge of the five-star luxury resort in Sauraha as part of an effort to raise Nepal’s profile on the global tourism map. The hotel, which began commercial operations last September under the Royal Tulip brand of France’s Louvre Hotels Group, has appointed Nepali general manager for the first time.

KTM Hospitality said Timalsina has held senior leadership roles at international hotel chains and resorts in Nepal and China, including Mountain Glory in Pokhara. Staff at the resort were selected through competitive recruitment and have received training to prepare for guest hospitality and service, the company added.

Rameshwar Shah, chairman of KTM Hospitality, said the appointment reflects a policy of using local manpower and domestic products during construction. He noted that most of the resort’s workforce is Nepali and that technical personnel were recruited in coordination with the brand.

Royal Tulip is a premium brand within Louvre Hotels Group, which operates more than 1,756 hotels in over 70 countries. The brand aims to combine local culture with international standards, a model the resort has adopted in Nepal.

Located close to Chitwan National Park and spread over more than four acres, Royal Tulip Chitwan offers 65 rooms, including Special Pool Villas, Water Villas and Machan Suites. Facilities include an international-standard spa and wellness centre, a modern fitness centre, a scenic swimming pool, Forest Flame restaurant, Machan Lounge, Tanabi sports bar, a children’s play area called Shishukunj, a water pool house with boating and fishing, a nearly 1.5‑kilometre walking trail and a helipad.

The resort has also constructed a Majhighar to showcase and preserve the culture of the Majhi and Tharu communities of Chitwan region, providing international visitors with an authentic cultural experience.

The project’s foundation stone was laid in late 2020 by then Tourism Minister Yogesh Bhattarai and Labour Minister Rameshwar Ray Yadav. The company said the resort’s progress during the Covid19 pandemic demonstrates the determination and potential of Nepal’s tourism sector.

Royal Tulip Chitwan aims to deliver world-class hospitality while preserving local culture, and the operator expects the resort to contribute to foreign exchange earnings, local employment, capacity development and cultural preservation.