POKHARA, March 16: Tourism entrepreneurs have reported a noticeable improvement in the tourism sector, which had faced challenges during the last season (September-November). They view the period from March to June as the peak season for foreign tourists visiting Nepal. This time is particularly highlighted for attracting foreign trekkers, and due to its extended duration, it is considered a crucial season for the industry.
Entrepreneurs in the trekking sector have noted an increase in foreign visitors, leading to a rise in guest arrivals at hotels in Pokhara. According to industry insiders, approximately 150 foreign tourists are trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) area daily. Dilip Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur from the Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) area, which serves as the gateway to the ABC region, explained that the trekking season began in March, resulting in a higher influx of tourists.
"Tourists visit the ABC area year-round, but the numbers vary. Currently, about 150 guests are trekking daily, all of whom are foreign visitors," he said. "Once foreign tourists start arriving, we consider the season to have begun. This period is ideal for trekking, which is why foreign visitors come during this time."
Gurung pointed out that this season is particularly favorable for trekking as the cold weather has subsided and the heat has not yet set in. "Even when the heat arrives, it won't significantly affect trekking in the mountain regions," he added. "In the coming months, the number of foreign visitors is expected to increase, and with local tourists also joining in, business owners will remain busy."
Pandemic, Plane Crash and Pokhara
Hotel owners in Pokhara are also experiencing a boost in the tourism sector with the arrival of the first guests of the season. Naresh Bhattarai, the owner of Mount Kailash Resort in Pokhara, shared that large hotels in the city have reached an 80 percent occupancy rate in March. While mid-range hotels have slightly lower occupancy rates, he noted an overall improvement in guest arrivals.
Bhattarai expressed optimism for the months of April and May. "In Nepal's tourism industry, even small factors can have a significant impact. If no issues arise, foreign guest arrivals are likely to increase in the coming months," he said. "As foreign tourists arrive, domestic visitors will also increase, bringing a sense of relief to Pokhara." He added that since the beginning of March, Mount Kailash Resort has maintained an 80 percent occupancy rate.
"The main Prithvi Highway to Pokhara has gained momentum, making travel more convenient. The travel time from Chitwan to Pokhara has been reduced to three hours, which will facilitate smoother arrivals of domestic tourists," Bhattarai said. "With extended operation hours at Tribhuvan International Airport, we remain optimistic about tourism in the coming days, provided no major issues arise in the country."
Bhattarai also mentioned that European tourists are arriving in Pokhara this season, along with Indian and Chinese visitors. He highlighted that the arrival of Indian tourists by land has made business operations smoother.
Kamal Sherchan, the sales manager of Pokhara Grande, the only five-star hotel currently operating in Pokhara, stated that the early signs of this season are positive. The hotel's occupancy rate has risen to around 80 percent.
Sherchan explained that while the September-November season was not favorable, this season has brought some relief to the business. "We are seeing more European and Indian guests. Indian tourists arriving by land have made things easier. However, the arrival of Chinese tourists has not met expectations," he said. "Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the occupancy rate for Chinese tourists was around 70 percent. Now, it stands at only about 30 percent. However, the influx of European and Indian tourists has helped compensate for this."
Bharat Sharma, the operator of Atithi Resort in Pokhara, noted that arrivals in April are expected to show further improvement compared to March. "Currently, we are operating at an occupancy rate of 60-70 percent," Sharma said. "The situation is neither weak nor excellent, but it is definitely better than the previous season."
He mentioned that the upcoming direct flights from Pokhara to Chengdu and Lhasa in China are likely to boost guest arrivals. "The number of Chinese tourists has not yet reached expected levels. However, with direct flights starting soon from Pokhara to Chengdu and Lhasa, we anticipate an increase in Chinese tourists," he said. Sharma also pointed out that while traveling on the highway to Pokhara has become easier, the lack of proper communication about this improvement has impacted tourist arrivals.
Dinesh Maharjan, the operator of High Ground Adventures, which runs adventure tourism activities in Pokhara, stated that the arrival of high-spending tourists has not improved. "High-spending tourists are still not arriving in significant numbers. Although the overall number of tourists has slightly increased compared to the previous season, the influx of quality tourists has not grown," Maharjan said. "Not all businesses are thriving. While large hotels have enough guests, small and mid-range hotels still struggle with low occupancy. Efforts are needed to attract more tourists."
He explained that many foreign guests are unable to visit Nepal despite their interest due to the high cost of travel. "Airfare to Nepal has become very expensive. We need to make Nepal an affordable destination in terms of airfare," he said. "If we can control airfare costs, more tourists will come, providing much-needed relief to the tourism sector."
