Tourism entrepreneurs urge for starts of Pokhara-Dhangadhi air services

POKHARA, Dec 18:Pokhara and Dhangadhi tourism entrepreneurs have underlined the importance of a direct flight between the two cities. This was stated by businesses who spoke at the interaction and press meet program held by Hotel Association Nepal Pokhara and Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province as part of the "Jaun Hai Pokhara" (Let's Go to Pokhara) campaign.

Speaking during the program, Laxman Subedi, president of  Hotel Association Nepal Pokhara, stated that programs by the Hotel Association Pokhara, such as Jaun Hai Pokhara and Chaliya Pokhara, as well as campaigns run by other tourism associations, had made Pokhara tourism sustainable.

He stated that tourists visiting Pokhara will experience warm hospitality and that their visit and stay will be memorable in all aspects, including natural, cultural, and adventure activities.

Kandakala Kumari Rana, Deputy Chief of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, advised the audience that tourism infrastructure construction is underway and that tourism promotion activities can be carried out in collaboration with the union and state governments. Every year, Dhangadhi transports 200 senior residents to Muktinath via Pokhara.

Jibanath Poudel, secretary of the Far West Province Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forestry, and Environment, stated that there is much to learn from the Pokhara and Gandaki provinces in terms of tourism marketing. He said that Kailali has more lakes than Pokhara, but that they cannot be managed.

He invited the private sector to submit concrete suggestions for tourism growth in the Far West and tourism infrastructure development. He countered by promising that the Far West state administration will move forward in collaboration with the Gandaki state government and Pokhara's tourism entrepreneurs.

According to Kundan Mishra, Senior Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki, the NTB has collaborated with businessmen to increase tourism. He stated that even if only one percent of the population of India and China can bring tourists to Nepal, the tourism sector of Nepal will be very active. He stated that because the Tourism Board is an entity dedicated to the development of tourism, it is constantly involved in the promotion program.

Puskar Ojha, Senior Vice President of Kailali Industry and Commerce Association, emphasized that Pokhara should have a direct air connection with  Far West provinces. He said that if that is possible, tourists will reach Pokhara by making a transit to the far west from Uttar Pradesh, which has a huge population.

According to Parbati Pandey, secretary of Hotel Association Nepal Pokhara, Jaun Hai Pokhara Campaign  will start from Friday and reach Dhangadhi via Nepalgunj with various activities. The expedition will reach Mahendranagar and return to Pokhara. According to Rames Paudel, Treasurer of the Hotel Association Nepal Pokhara, the campaign team includes representatives of tourism-related organizations and journalists from Pokhara, including the Hotel Association Nepal Pokhara.