KATHMANDU: David Marriott, Chairman of Marriott International, is on his first-ever visit to Nepal, with the upcoming Luxury Collection property in Kathmandu serving as the first stop of his trip — a visit that marks a significant milestone for Nepal's luxury hospitality sector.

Marriott was welcomed at the property by owners Shesh Ghale and Jamuna Gurung Ghale, the Nepali-Australian business figures behind the project. The hotel, set in an iconic Kathmandu location, is poised to become the first Marriott-managed Luxury Collection property in all of South Asia — a distinction that places Nepal ahead of larger regional markets in the global hospitality brand's luxury footprint.

The Luxury Collection, one of Marriott International's most prestigious brands, comprises a portfolio of distinctive hotels and resorts that reflect the culture and heritage of their destinations. A property in Kathmandu — at the crossroads of Himalayan adventure, spiritual tourism, and growing high-end travel demand — aligns squarely with the brand's positioning.

For Nepal's tourism industry, the development signals a new chapter. The country has long attracted budget and mid-range travellers drawn to trekking and mountaineering, but demand for high-end experiential travel is growing, and the arrival of a globally recognised luxury brand adds significant weight to Nepal's credentials as a destination for discerning travellers.

Shesh Ghale and Jamuna Gurung Ghale, whose vision is credited with bringing the project to fruition, have described the hotel as not merely a new property but a new landmark for the heart of Kathmandu.