KATHMANDU, April 7: The 17th Phewa New Year Festival is being held with the slogan "Tourism, Culture and Food" in Pokhara.

Laxman Subedi, President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Pokhara, said that the festival is being organized with the objective of preserving Nepali culture and promoting food on the streets of Pokhara.

The festival will be held on the main road from Fishtail Gate at Lakeside to Hallanchowk covering three kilometers of area from April 13 to April 20 to revive the tourism sector weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The last two editions of the festival were postponed due to COVID-19. Stating that the festival is being organized on the open streets, he said that the festival aims to preserve its original culture by promoting the Nepali New Year in the main cities of Nepal. “Hotels under the association have decided to provide 30 percent off on their services during the festival period,” he said, adding that the hotels there are already providing discounts and it will be continued while the festival is being celebrated.

Subedi said that the festival would provide some relief to the tourism sector which was facing difficulties due to the devastating earthquake, blockade and high interest rates of banks.

Binayak Shah, acting president of the Hotel Association Nepal, said that this kind of festival would have a positive impact on the international community and would inspire foreigners to visit Nepal and relay the message to the whole world that Nepal is a safe destination to visit.

The festival is being organized with an investment of Rs 3.5 million. According to the organizers, the festival is expected to welcome as many as 100,000 local, domestic and international tourists. 

 
• 17th_Phewa_New_Year_Festival
 
• Pokhara
 
• HAN