Kathmandu,
Where others saw chaos and uncertainty, Binod Chaudhary saw an opportunity to create something beautiful. The journey of CG Hospitality is one of resilience, belief, and the courage to dream big in times of doubt. It’s a story of how a man turned setbacks into stepping stones and challenges into a global success. (Excerpt taken from the book “Making It Big” by Binod Chaudhary.)
The Realization: Small Beginnings, Big Dreams
Binod Chaudhary realized early on that you don’t have to start big to make a global mark. “You just have to create something the world loves,” he believed.
This belief led him to take small, bold steps in the hospitality industry. His journey began in the Maldives, where he transformed a struggling property into a luxury resort. What was once ordinary became a world-renowned destination—a place where travelers came to find beauty and peace.
In Sri Lanka, amid political unrest and conflict, he took on another challenge. A property mired in difficulties became a source of pride for the nation. Leaders, dignitaries, and travelers began to see it as a sanctuary, a place where stories of resilience and growth replaced those of fear and turmoil.
Experiences Over Luxury
In his journey, Binod discovered a powerful truth: hospitality is not about luxury; it’s about experiences.
He had seen it in the wilderness of Africa—where travelers paid not for the comfort of electricity, but for the thrill of making toast in the middle of the jungle. This lesson stayed with him and guided his ventures.
In India, he created wildlife lodges that brought guests to the heart of the jungle. The roar of a tiger, the songs of birds, the night sky lit by stars—these were not just vacations. These were moments that stayed in people’s hearts forever.
His approach was simple yet profound: sell a story, not a room.
A Dream Called Zinc
After years of successful partnerships, Binod dreamed of building his own brand—something with its own identity, not tied to anyone else’s legacy. He named it Zinc.
With dreams as big as ever, plans were made to launch Zinc in markets across Dubai, Nepal, and India. The vision was clear: create a business hotel brand that could stand tall in a competitive world.
But life had other plans. The global economic crisis of 2008 shattered economies, including Dubai’s, which collapsed overnight. Projects stalled. Partnerships broke apart. Binod’s team, which had stood by him, began to fall away.
At that moment, Binod felt alone.
“I had the dream, the brand, the projects, but nobody to help me realize it. I felt like a king robbed of his kingdom.”
It was a crushing setback. Zinc, which had been ready to soar, was now grounded. For him, it felt like failing an exam after a year of hard work.
Finding Strength in the Struggle
But where others saw failure, Binod saw an opportunity to rebuild. He believed that partnerships built on shared strengths could create something bigger than what anyone could achieve alone.
Through sheer determination and a relentless search for solutions, Binod found a way to breathe life back into his dream. He merged his vision with a struggling yet capable organization, combining his experience and ambition with their structure and resources.
Slowly, Zinc was reborn. Properties were brought under its banner, and what had once seemed lost began to thrive again.
A Global Legacy: CG Hospitality
From these challenges, CG Hospitality began to grow—one property, one market, one story at a time:
- In the Philippines, he transformed The Farm at San Benito into a global wellness retreat, a place where people found peace and healing.
- In Sri Lanka, he partnered to revive properties that were once abandoned, turning them into symbols of eco-friendly luxury.
- In India, the jungles became destinations for travelers who wanted to experience the raw beauty of nature.
Through every project, Binod stayed true to his belief: “In times of uncertainty, there is always opportunity.”
Building Against All Odds
Binod Chaudhary’s journey to build CG Hospitality was not without struggles. There were moments when hope seemed faint, partnerships broke, and dreams felt impossible to achieve. But he refused to give up.
Every crisis he faced only strengthened his resolve. Whether it was political conflict, economic collapse, or organizational setbacks, Binod saw them not as roadblocks but as opportunities to innovate, adapt, and grow.
The Lesson: Turning Chaos Into Opportunity
Today, CG Hospitality stands tall as a global brand, a reflection of one man’s ability to dream when others doubted, and to persist when others gave up. It is more than a business; it is a legacy of turning challenges into triumphs.
Binod Chaudhary’s story teaches us that resilience, imagination, and courage can transform even the darkest moments into something extraordinary.
“An entrepreneur creates opportunities,” he says. “Where others see chaos, I see a chance to build something beautiful.”
And that is exactly what he did. From humble beginnings to a global hospitality empire, Binod Chaudhary’s journey reminds us that dreams can stand the test of time when fueled by vision and persistence.
CG Hospitality is not just a collection of hotels; it is a symbol of hope, of stories well-told, and of a legacy built against all odds.