HAN Pokhara final gearing up for 18th Fewa New Year Festival

KATHMANDU, April 06:The final stages of preparations for the three-day 18th Fewa New Year Festival, which will begin on April 12th at Pokhara's lakeside under the initiative of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Pokhara, have been completed.

On the occasion of the New Year, this festival will be held on the road from Fishtail Gate to Hallan Chowk, which is located on Pokhara's lakeside. The cultural tableau will begin at Khare Chowk and end at Ammat on the day of the inauguration, according to Laxman Subedi, president of the HAN Pokhara and festival coordinator, during a press conference. He stated that the festival will feature live music, singing performances by famous artists, cultural tableaux, and food dishes. According to the HAN Pokhara, the hotels in the association will offer a 20% discount on the published festival rates. The Festival's primary sponsor is Barahsinghe Beer.

The festival will focus on tourism, culture, and food, with the goal of promoting domestic and international tourism while revitalizing the tourism sector. The HAN Pokhara believes that the Nepali New Year will be celebrated with joy and gaiety both nationally and internationally, promoting tourism in Gandaki Province.

President Subedi stated that the recent plane crash of Yeti Airlines in Pokhara, as well as the disorganized and slow upgrading of the Prithviraj highway, have had a direct impact on the region's tourism arrival rate.

According to the HAN Pokhara, the hotel industry is in a state of disarray as a result of banks and financial institutions unilaterally raising interest rates. President Subedi stated that, despite the fact that the tourism industry is in trouble, they are patiently optimistic. He asked Nepal Rastra Bank to implement refinancing, rescheduling, and relief programs. He believed that tourism would only survive if a program to save businessmen was implemented. He proposed that the Nepal Rastra Bank create a policy mandating that banks and financial institutions invest 10 to 15% of their profits in tourism.

Subedi, on the other hand, stated that during the current tourist season, occupancy should be around 80 to 90 percent, but it is only 20 to 25 percent. He stated that the hotel requires 50% occupancy to survive.

The program was hosted by Rajendra Dhakal, the HAN Pokhara's general secretary and the festival's publicity coordinator. Pomnarayan Shrestha, Chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, Deepak Shrestha, and Ganeshraj Pahari, festival co-coordinators, were also present.