POKHARA: After a prolonged slowdown, Pokhara’s tourism industry is buzzing again with a surge of domestic and foreign visitors.
The long Dashain–Tihar holidays, clear skies, and favorable weather have brought renewed energy to the city’s hotels, restaurants, and adventure activities—lifting the spirits of tourism entrepreneurs and signaling a positive rebound for the sector.
Renowned for its panoramic views of the Annapurna range, the serene Fewa Lake, and adventure sports like paragliding, bungee jumping, and zip-flying, Pokhara remains one of Nepal’s most popular destinations.
Serving as the gateway to the Annapurna trekking circuit and Muktinath, the city’s tourism, which had been subdued due to protests and erratic weather, is now showing strong revival signs.
“The tourism sector in Pokhara, which had been affected by various disasters, is finally seeing some relief. Both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals during Tihar have been very encouraging,” said Laxman Subedi, President of the Hotel Association Pokhara.
“With long holidays and pleasant weather, nearly 90 percent of lakeside hotels are currently occupied. The arrival of visitors traveling from Pokhara to destinations like the Annapurna trek and Mustang has created great enthusiasm across the region,” he added.
According to Subedi, around Rs 800 billion has been invested in Pokhara’s tourism industry—Rs 600 billion of which is in the hotel sector alone—providing direct employment to about 15,000 people.
Pokhara hosts around 1,200 tourist-standard hotels, with about 700 located around the lakeside and damside areas. The city can accommodate roughly 40,000 guests per night, including one five-star, six four-star, and about 30 three-, two-, and one-star hotels.
Pokhara also remains a major hub for trekking enthusiasts. Popular trails such as the Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, and Ghorepani–Poon Hill treks begin from the city, attracting thousands of trekkers annually.
“Pokhara is the gateway to trekking in Nepal,” said Krishna Acharya, President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Pokhara. “The countless trails in the Annapurna region make this area one of the world’s most attractive trekking destinations. The recent influx of both domestic and foreign trekkers is very encouraging.”
Acharya emphasized the need for government initiatives to protect and promote these trails, identify new routes, and enhance infrastructure and safety. “To sustain trekking tourism year-round, TAAN has recently promoted the Annapurna North (Maurice Herzog) Trail,” he added.
According to TAAN, in recent days, foreign trekkers have been registering at five major checkpoints—Chhomrong and Pothana in Kaski, Besisahar in Lamjung, and Ghasa in Myagdi.
The restaurant and nightlife scene has also regained vitality. Bishwaraj Poudel, President of the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) Pokhara, said, “The number of tourists during Tihar is even better than during Dashain. Restaurants and bars are seeing lively crowds again, which has given us business owners a renewed sense of optimism.”
While tourism entrepreneurs are buoyed by the current momentum, industry leaders stress the need for sustainable planning. Hari Bhujel, Senior Vice President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, cautioned that seasonal surges alone cannot sustain such heavy investments.
“The government should introduce long-term strategies to promote tourism throughout the year. Pokhara has immense potential for natural, adventure, and cultural tourism, but it requires cooperation between the government and the private sector,” he said.
Bhujel called for a sustainable tourism strategy that safeguards the industry against risks from natural disasters, political instability, and pandemics. He also stressed the need to develop Pokhara as a hub for adventure tourism, identify new destinations, and invest in supporting infrastructure.
Highlighting Pokhara’s unique blend of natural beauty and cultural diversity, Bhujel said attractions such as Fewa Lake, Sarangkot sunrise, World Peace Stupa, Devi’s Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, and the International Mountain Museum continue to captivate visitors but need better management and promotion.
With the new Pokhara International Airport now in operation, local entrepreneurs expect the number of foreign arrivals to rise further. In the evenings, restaurants, cafés, and shops along Fewa Lake are once again filled with cheerful crowds. Boating, cycling, and leisurely lakeside walks are offering visitors the tranquility and joy that define Pokhara’s charm.
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