Invitation comes as part of campaign by Gandaki Province that is celebrating Internal Tourism Year 2019

POKHARA, Sept 25: Tourism entrepreneurs of Pokhara have invited internal tourists of the eastern region to utilize their holidays and visit Pokhara. 

Paschimanchal Hotel Association organized a press conference in Dharan, where tourism entrepreneurs asked internal tourists to visit Pokhara. The invitation comes as part of a campaign from the Gandaki Province that is celebrating Internal Tourism Year 2019.

According to Bikal Tulachan, the association's chairperson, the season for festivals begins after the monsoon and the Himalayan range around Pokhara are really attractive during this time. "It's the appropriate time for visitors to come to Pokhara."

He also said the Pokhara tourism entrepreneurs were equally interested in inviting visitors from the east and the west. "We give equal priority to internal tourists from any part of the country," he said.

Entrepreneurs on the occasion said that Pokhara and Dharan were similar in terms of geography and culture, and that the tourists would get best packages during this season. 

"Pokhara consists of hotels ranging from normal standard ones to five stars, to cater to all types of tourists. They can choose any," Tulachan said. "Pokhara is considered an expensive city, which isn't true. We have options for all."

Hotels of Pokhara have a total capacity of over 30,000 beds and numerous restaurants. For promoting internal tourism, the association has created a slogan of 'Jaun hai Pokhara' (Let's go to Pokhara) for Nepali tourists and 'Chaaliye Pokhara' (Let's go to Pokhara) for Indian tourists. They are even promoting the tourism year in third countries.       

After the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Muktinath, Indian tourists have become attracted toward Pokhara and surrounding places. According to Tulachan, the provincial and federal governments must focus on the development of tourism as well as supportive infrastructure.

According to Bharat Parajuli, central member of hotel association, 50% of the hotel rooms are occupied by internal tourists. "The arrival of internal tourists is very important for us,” he said, “Flow of internal tourist is more during Dashain and Tihar festivals. Internal tourists fully utilizes the time of holiday.” 

“If there won't be internal tourists, it will be hard for us to run business only from international tourists,” Parajuli added.

Parajuli said more tourists visit Pokhara from the eastern part of the country including Dharan, Biratnagar, Birjung, and Hetauda rather than the western part because of good roads. 

“If a direct flight is made from Simara, Biratnagar, or Bhadrapur to Pokhara, then arrival of tourists will increase further,” Parajuli added. “After the construction of international airport in Pokhara, the number of tourists will increase as we expect more cities to be connected then.” 

“Jaau Hai Pokhara campaign, which is conducted every year, has been helpful in bringing more internal tourists to Pokhara,” he said. The association has been conducting the Jaau Hai Pokhara campaign for the past ten year.

 
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