KATHMANDU, JUNE 23
A surge in Indian tourist arrivals has pushed hotel occupancy in Pokhara to around 90 percent, providing a major boost to the city's tourism industry during what is traditionally considered the off-season.
Tourism entrepreneurs said Indian visitors have thronged Pokhara over the past one-and-a-half months, with the Lakeside area and the Tal Barahi Temple witnessing particularly high footfall.
According to the Hotel Association Pokhara Nepal, Indian tourists are increasingly choosing Nepal as an accessible holiday destination to escape the intense summer heat in India. Popular attractions include Tal Barahi Temple in Phewa Lake, Bindhyabasini Temple, Muktinath and various short trekking routes.
The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN), Gandaki, estimates that around 150,000 Indian tourists have visited Pokhara in the past six weeks. Besides religious sites, visitors are also participating in boating, short hikes, paragliding, bungee jumping and rafting.
The Phewa Boat Entrepreneurs' Organisation said between 4,000 and 5,000 Indian tourists take boat rides on Phewa Lake every day, with most visiting the Tal Barahi Temple located on an island in the lake.
Tourism entrepreneurs said hotels ranging from five-star properties to budget lodges and dharamshalas have reported high occupancy levels, underscoring the growing importance of the Indian market for Pokhara's tourism sector. They stressed that greater promotion of Nepal's religious and tourist destinations in India could attract even larger numbers of visitors in the future.