WHY WE TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO REVIVE MARCOPOLO RESTAURANT ?

It was in 1988, when we opened a Trekking Company, Himalaya Expeditions Inc. It was my first step in Tourism Career. My business was basically a “One man show” where I was a General Manager as well as a messenger. At that time, Mr. Rubiolo Battista, commonly known as “Robi” was running “Marcopolo Restaurant” in Thamel. He was already a popular name among travellers. He helped me find a place for my office on the 2^nd floor of a residential house right across his Restaurant. That’s how our friendship started!

I have seen lots of ups and downs in my 30 years’ long career but the Restaurant “Marcopolo” run by Robi during those days has left a significant impact on my life. It used to be quite busy throughout the day with full of native Italians, Spanish, Americans and other International Tourists that include well known people and celebrities like Reinhold Messner, Doug Scott, Chris Bonnington etc. During the time, Nepali were rarely going to Restaurants. However, there were lots of Nepali from well-off classes to whom Marcopolo Restaurant at Thamel was a common name. For an amateur who was just into the business, Marcopolo Restaurant was a great demonstration of successful enterprise and made me realize how good and dignified a catering business could be in terms of profit, engagement, networking and ultimate happiness.

As Robi have widely travelled over remote parts of the Himalaya and throughout Indian sub-continent, people used to come to meet him and discuss about ideas on travelling. His recommendations to tourists were very meaningful and I got many Italian and other nationals through his reference for Trekking and Adventure holidays that kept us busy during the initial days. Robi was always available to guide me at difficult times which helped me to grow as an independent professional without much risk in a very short time. It was the Marco Polo Restaurant where I had my first experience of Italian food, Pizzas, Pastas and Lasagne and I have felt my whole life that “If there is a good Italian food, it should be like Marco Polo Restaurant’s!”

Due to some problems, Marcopolo Restaurant was closed in 1992. However, Robi continued visiting Nepal as a good friend of the Country. As of today, Robi is recovering from a major surgery in Italy and wishing us all the best. I also wish him a speedy recovery and love to see him travelling again soon. Robi’s love for Nepal, his entrepreneurial spirit and selfless heart has inspired me to open Marcopolo Restaurant at Chhaya Center, the best Business Complex built in Nepal so far. Marcopolo is my tribute to my lifelong friend Robi for his great contribution to my upbringing as a Professional in the Nepali Tourism Industry along with an ambition to re-invent the authentic flavor of the Italian food that I first experienced thirty years ago. In simple words, all I want is to re-establish Marcopolo as a successful and profitable enterprise by connecting its thirty years’ history with an ever growing future of prosperity!

Hope you will have a memorable time at Marco Polo!

MARCOPOLO’S CONTRIBUTION IN NEPALI TOURISM
Whether it is for Tourism Industry or any other fields contributing towards Country’s wellbeing, we decide tomake Marcopolo Restaurant a model project to serve the society and stand as a model of inspiration for others. So, we will be working in the following areas to fulfill our commitment that ensures our journey towards excellence.
Marcopolo’s Contribution in Nepali Tourism
Whether it is for Tourism Industry or any other fields contributing towards Country’s wellbeing, we decide to make
Marcopolo Restaurant a model project to serve the society and stand as a model of inspiration for others. So, we will be
working in the following areas to fulfill our commitment that ensures our journey towards excellence.

1.) TOP QUALITY BRAND
Marcopolo Restaurant shall be run as a bench-mark in terms of production, service, ambience, management and consistency. To achieve this objective, we are backed with top level International experts as Consultants:

a.) Oliver Klopf: A German Master-Chef based in Indonesia after completing Twenty Years long Journey in the field of food Production. (link)
b.) Bert Van Walbeek: Originally from the Netherlands, Hotelier for 45 years and Marketer of Tourism for 35 years, a Motivator and a Master of Disaster for 25 years and a lecturer for 15 years. (link)
c.) Gisi Walbeek: a German certified hospitality trainer from the family of Hotel entrepreneurs, served as Senior Executive and General Manager in many renowned Hotels. (link)
d.) Maple: An award winning Interior designer who has the Credit of designing the “Pavillion Phuket” and also “Pavillion Hotel” in Pokhara, Nepal. (link)
e.) Khem Lakai: The CEO of GATES College, the best Hospitality College in Nepal accredited by Swiss Hotel Association, Mr. Lakai himself is a Graduate in HM from Switzerland. (link)
Our entire planning including design, management, vendor and material selection, quality control, training etc. have undergone through the direct or indirect supervision of the above team of consultants and whatever we do in our business is thoroughly reported and approved by them.

2.) BUILDING THE YOUTHS

We look forward to forming Marcopolo Restaurant a platform for skill and career building to benefit Nepali Youths. It shall stand as a ground for proper orientation, training and motivation to help them become an independent professional of International standard so that they can gain employability skill to fit anywhere in the world and bring benefit to the Country. Their level of skill shall be constantly monitored, evaluated and certified by our group of Consultants for recognition in the International market.

3.) EXPANSION, MANAGEMENT, FRANCHISE AND ENTREPRISE DEVELOPEMENT
We also envision our rapid growth in the F&B Industry in the future and look towards possibilities of opening more restaurants and/or share knowledge through management handling and distributing franchise outlets. We seek more people to benefit from our knowledge, skill and strength to become independent entrepreneurs.

4.) MORE EMPLOYEMENT
As we seek to create a successful business expanse with top level service through our own units, managed business and franchised outlets, backed by International Consultants and integrated team of Nepal, we hope to create a significant volume of employment opportunities to Nepali Youths by honing their skills through our trainings and in-house working opportunities. We also have plans to use our contacts and networks for their placements in reputed  international brands.

5.) ONLY ETHICAL

Through the units of Marcopolo, we aim to implement ‘Only Ethical’ practices through sustainable approach and proper financial discipline. We try to go for ‘as much’ organic supplies, reduce energy consumptions, plant trees against used firewood,  low impact actions against nature. Various CRS Projects shall be launched, and strict financial practice and tax discipline shall be maintained.