Signs of tourism revival in Pokhara after months

POKHARA, SEPTEMBER 27

Six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector in Pokhara has signalled its revival.

Mardi Himal Trek has again seen mobility of tourists.

Inflow of domestic tourists is increasing, said Raju Poudel, owner of Hotel Snowland and Spa at Mardi Himal high camp, adding this indicates hope in the tourism sector in the coming days.

“More than 100 foreign and domestic tourists visited the area in the past. Now, the situation for foreign tourist inflow is not conducive due to the pandemic. This is why we have prioritised domestic tourism,” he said.

Adventure tourism activities also restarted with paragliding, bungee jumping and zip line resuming after a break of six months. Chairperson of Nepal Airsports Association Krishna Bhandari said paragliding resumed after six months and discussions with pilots and companies were under way for following health safety practices such as use of masks and sanitisers while paragliding.

The process of adding tourist vehicles targeting the Visit Year was under way, said chairperson of Nepal Tourist Transport Entrepreneurs Association, Gandaki Province, Bobar Jung Gurung. Tourist vehicles worth Rs 500 million were purchased in the past targeting the Visit Year, he said.

Pokhara has around 600 well-equipped hotels, which have attracted approximately Rs 15 billion in hotel infrastructure in the form of investments.

A version of this article appears in e-paper on September 28, 2020, of The Himalayan Times.