Entrepreneurs demand for international flights from Pokhara Int’l Airport

KATHMANDU, April 11:The Pokhara entrepreneur have requested the government to to make arrangements for the operation of international flights from Pokhara Airport.

On Monday, a delegation of entrepreneurs led by the Pokhara Tourism Council met with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachand' at Singhdarbar.

A delegation of entrepreneurs led by the Pokhara Tourism Council made 15 demands, including the operation of the international flight from Pokhara. The business community also requested that the PM reduce the bank interest rate to a single digit and reschedule loans.

Pom Narayan Shrestha, Council Chairman, stated that opening Pokhara's heritages, including Ratna mandir and Hima Griha, is also one of their demands.

He stated that they urged the Prime Minister to take policy-level action to begin operating flights from Pokhara to India, China, Bangladesh, and other destinations immediately.

The entrepreneurs demanded that Nepal Airlines Corporation become fully commercial and explore new destinations in order to make flights more effective.

Other demands made by the delegation include ensuring the organizational representation of tourism-related organizations by making administrative and managerial reforms of the Nepal Tourism Board, repairing and upgrading highways for the convenience of tourists entering Nepal by road, and structural reform of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
 
Entrepreneur have also requested that teams and guides not be required for pilgrims visiting Muktinath, that guides and assistants be required only for walking, and that this rule not be imposed in areas where motor vehicles travel.

Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, Restaurant and Bar Association, Hotel Association Pokhara Nepal  and various associations, organizations and industrialists expressed their grief to the Prime Minister who faced many difficulties in business operations.

The main adventure tourism destination, Pokhara's Paragliding, should be restored without affecting international flights.