KATHMANDU: The government’s decision to grant two public holidays per week on Saturdays and Sundays has had a positive impact on tourism in Pokhara, widely regarded as Nepal’s tourism capital.
According to Hotel Association Pokhara President Laxman Subedi, the number of tourists in Pokhara hotels has increased by around 10 percent compared to previous periods. He noted that the rise is largely driven by domestic tourists, with occupancy seeing a corresponding boost.
“Due to the two-day weekend, domestic tourists are now spending two days in Pokhara before returning,” Subedi said. “This has played an important role in revitalizing the city’s tourism sector.”
Visitors to Pokhara are engaging in a range of activities, including boating and sightseeing at Phewa Lake and lakes in the Lekhnath area, as well as adventure tourism such as paragliding, bungee jumping, and ziplining.
Tourists are also visiting religious and cultural sites including Bindhyabasini Temple, Tal Barahi Temple, Pumdikot, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, and the World Peace Pagoda Pokhara.
Other popular attractions include the International Mountain Museum, Mahendra Cave, and Bat Cave Pokhara.
Subedi added that the association had long advocated for a two-day weekend to promote domestic tourism, stating that the policy has supported not only Pokhara but the country’s overall tourism industry.
Pokhara’s peak tourist seasons are typically during the months of Falgun, Chaitra, and Baisakh, as well as Ashoj, Kartik, and Mangsir. At present, hotels in the city are operating at around 60 percent occupancy.
He also noted that of the estimated Rs 800 billion investment in Pokhara’s tourism sector, around Rs 600 billion is in the hotel industry alone. With approximately 1,200 hotels, the city has the capacity to accommodate up to 40,000 tourists per day.
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