outlook for the future , Sherpa Hospitality is investing heavily in renovations and the construction of new lodges across the region under the MLN brand . |
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H : What are the projected ADRs for renewed MLN projects ? NS : From US $ 250 per night plus tax and service ( does not include Shinta Mani Mustang ). |
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in Dolpo and other remote areas of western Nepal we see the Mountain Lodges of Nepal brand extending throughout the Nepali Himalaya over the next several years , opening up entire new regions to premium and luxury trekking adventures .
H : Why are you working with Bill Bensley and Shinta Mani ? NS : My family was always familiar with Bill ’ s design work . When Jason from J . M . Friedman & Co ., joined us he introduced us to Shinta Mani and brought my brother Sonu in to do a four-month internship at Shinta Mani Wild ( in Cambodia ). It was really my brother experiencing the Shinta Mani brand from the inside that made our family realize that they share the same vision for remote hospitality development , communities , philanthropy and conservation that we do . Bill Bensley and Shinta Mani seemed like the perfect fit for us and we could not be happier that the relationship prospered .
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Last but not least , both Bill and Shinta Mani team loves Nepal .
H : What is your forecast for revenue growth across Sherpa Hospitality and then MLN ? NS : Coming out of COVID , we are expecting pre-COVID numbers for all our businesses under Sherpa Hospitality Group . It is looking healthy , and we are happy about it .
H : What is the state of competition in the marketplace ?
Deboche Lodge in the Everest region will be a new hotel by MLN built from the ground up to showcase the area as a new destination for adventure seekers .
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Phakding Lodge is the first newly transformed lodge to be unveiled since the MLN brand ’ s debut .
JF : The trekking and adventure DMC space is quite crowded with many players , including our own DMC , Thamserku Trekking , which has been a leader in the industry for 30 years .
There is a lot less completion in the lodge space as we are the only operator to have seven lodge circuits in both the Everest and Annapurna regions . With the consolidation of these two regions under the Mountain Lodges of Nepal brand , we have become the dominant player in luxury lodge trekking circuits in the region . With a very positive
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H : Describe the “ new Nepal .” NS : New Nepal is a mindset and also a vision for us to follow and live by . It ’ s about building on the past and for the future , but not forgetting the core . It ’ s about understanding and being up to date with the world . It ’ s about re-positioning Nepal as a luxury destination as opposed to the old budget and backpacking destinations . It ’ s about bringing in the young generations of team members , artists , chefs and leaders to create something meaningful and share it with the world . It ’ s about understanding the value of what we have , respecting the people , culture , nature and environment we operate in , and creating a positive impact . |
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16 hotelsmag . com Nov / Dec 2022 |