Pokhara Tourism Council Appeals to Governor Paudel for Tourism Revival

Pokhara  – The Pokhara Tourism Council has urged Governor Dr. Bishwanath Paudel to take initiatives for the revival of tourism.

A seven-member delegation led by Council Chairman Taranath Pahari submitted a memorandum to Governor Paudel in Kathmandu today, requesting necessary measures for the restoration of the tourism sector.

The delegation included former council chairman Tikaram Sapkota, Chief of Nepal Tourism Board for Gandaki Province Maniraj Lamichhane, Chairman of Revant Pokhara Bishwaraj Paudel, former chairman of Revant Pokhara Naresh Bahadur Bhattarai, Chairman of Hotel Association Pokhara Laxman Subedi, and President of NATTA Gandaki Province Kishor Dahal.

The memorandum emphasized the need to provide opportunities for the country’s youth to work domestically amid the rising trend of migration abroad. It also acknowledged the positive impact of youth-led movements and expressed concern over damages to government and private property caused by unauthorized individuals and self-interested groups during protests.

“Tourism businesses and entrepreneurs have been most affected by these incidents just as the main tourism season is about to begin,” the memorandum stated. “Due to recent events, tourists are canceling their travel packages and bookings every day, which has severely impacted the industry, a key driver of the nation’s economic growth.”

The council highlighted that Pokhara, Nepal’s tourism capital, has seen investments exceeding seven billion rupees, yet the city’s tourism sector currently resembles a ghost town due to the present situation. Referring to past efforts to revive tourism after earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, the council urged authorities to take immediate steps to restore the sector amid current challenges.

The memorandum also requested appropriate compensation for damages suffered by tourism businesses during protests, including property destruction, arson, and looting.

It further noted that canceled bookings at the start of the tourism season, coupled with upcoming elections in Falgun and ongoing political instability, are likely to reduce tourist arrivals for an extended period. Consequently, the council requested extensions for repayment of bank loans and interest installments until the end of Ashwin, Poush, and Chaitra, without penalties or extra charges.

To maintain business operations amid low tourist arrivals, the council requested short-term operational loans, restructuring and refinancing of existing tourism loans with repayment periods of at least 25 years, and refinancing facilities for tourism sector loans. Additionally, small and medium tourism businesses should receive business rescue loans of up to NPR 1.5 million at zero interest for at least five years.

The council urged that interest rates on tourism loans be reduced further and that tourism businesses be granted industrial status as announced in the current fiscal year’s budget, which has not yet been implemented.

Highlighting that tourism is Nepal’s only globally competitive industry, the memorandum stressed its critical role in employment generation, foreign exchange earnings, and overall economic development, asserting that revival and rejuvenation of the sector is essential.

Chairman Pahari also informed that the delegation met with Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepkaraj Joshi today to discuss the revival of the tourism sector and related issues.