POKHARA, April 14: Most hotels in Pokhara’s main tourist hub, Lakeside, have filled up with domestic and international tourists. Many popular hotels have reached full capacity, making it difficult to find a room without prior booking. Hoteliers report similar occupancy levels in hotels around Pokhara. Local businesses say that the trekking routes are also overwhelmed with the tourists.
Foreign tourists flock to Nepal during this peak season, which begins in March, boosting tourism activity. As international arrivals continue, the number of domestic tourists has also surged. Tourism entrepreneurs say this has created a vibrant atmosphere across major tourist destinations. They report a strong flow of domestic and international tourists in and around Pokhara, including the Himalayan trekking trails.
He said domestic tourist inflow during the Nepali New Year was never as high in previous years. While the English New Year usually brought a heavy crowd of local visitors to Pokhara, this time the Nepali New Year also drew a large number of tourists.
“Improved highway access may have contributed to the increased flow of domestic visitors this year,” Panthi said. “That has added to the vibrancy. The tourism sector, once sluggish, has now reverted to life.”
Tourism sector in trouble as occupancy rate of hotels in Pokhar...
Bharatraj Parajuli, a central member of the Hotel Association, said domestic and international tourists have significantly increased in Pokhara. He noted that the tourism sector, which had remained sluggish for a long time, has now regained its vibrancy. He added that more tourists entered Pokhara than business owners had anticipated.
“We welcomed more guests than expected, which brought much-needed relief to entrepreneurs and reignited hope in the tourism industry,” he said. “The surge of domestic and international tourists lifted our spirits. The crowd was so overwhelming that managing it became a challenge.” He added that just a few days ago, the tourism scene seemed quiet, but domestic visitors have now brought it back to life.
He added that a good number of Indian tourists have also arrived during this time. “The crowd during this Nepali New Year was encouraging. Domestic visitors significantly boosted the tourism sector,” he said.
Local entrepreneurs said tourists are not only crowding Pokhara but are also increasingly present in trekking areas. Jagan Raj Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur from the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) region, said both domestic and international tourists are currently flocking to the area. “Accommodation isn’t a problem, but the crowd is impressive. It definitely feels like tourist season,” he said. “Since it’s prime trekking time, many foreign tourists have arrived, and domestic travelers have joined them. That has brought the trekking trails to life.”
Dilip Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur from Machhapuchhre Base Camp, reported that around 400 tourists ascend to the base camp daily. About 40 percent of them are domestic, while the remaining 60 percent are foreign visitors. Tourists typically pass through Machhapuchhre Base Camp on their way to Annapurna Base Camp.
“With around 400 tourists arriving daily, we are experiencing good business. Our hotels haven’t stayed empty,” he said. “Although tourists have been visiting the Annapurna Base Camp area year-round, the current peak tourist season has naturally led to an increased flow of visitors.
Mani Raj Lamichhane, the Gandaki Province Chief of the Nepal Tourism Board, stated that hotel occupancy in the Pokhara region has reached around 90 percent. “This season also caters to foreign visitors. The arrival of domestic tourists, combined with the customary influx of foreign tourists, has naturally increased activity in the tourism sector. We’ve seen a significant improvement in tourist arrivals in Pokhara,” he said. “Most hotels in Pokhara have hosted guests during this period. Not only in Pokhara but also in surrounding areas, there has been considerable tourist activity.”
In recent years, while the number of domestic tourists had been increasing, some slowdown had occurred due to travel discomforts. However, Lamichhane said that now there are no major issues with travel. He attributed the rise in domestic tourist activity to improvements in the Pokhara–Mugling road, which has made travel smoother. “This Nepali New Year, Pokhara enjoyed the chance to warmly welcome a large number of domestic tourists. During school holidays, families traveled together, and family tourism has been more prominent this time,” Lamichhane added.