The newly elected executive committee of the Pokhara Tourism Council has formally taken charge following the selection of its office bearers. The committee was elected during the council’s 26th Annual General Meeting and 14th Convention, with Hari Bhujel elected as president. Bhujel nominated the remaining office bearers in accordance with the council’s statute before administering the oath of office to the newly appointed officials and members at a ceremony held on Tuesday.
Hariram Adhikari has been nominated as First Vice President and Narayan Prasad Subedi as Second Vice President. Adhikari is the operator of Global Vacation Travels and Tours and a former president of NATTA Gandaki, while Subedi is a former president of the Trekking Equipment Shop Association (TESA). Milan Tiwari of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) has been appointed General Secretary, Baburam Pandey of the Nepal Tourist Vehicle Association (NTVA) as Secretary, and Shobha Adhikari Sapkota of the Village Tourism Promotion Forum (VITOF) as Joint Treasurer.
Council Prioritises Tourism Recovery And Global Promotion
The new leadership has placed tourism promotion, private sector cooperation and coordination with the government among its immediate priorities. President Bhujel said the council would work to make Pokhara’s tourism sector more dynamic while strengthening cooperation among tourism businesses and government agencies. He also expressed concern over the negative image of Nepal’s tourism sector following the recent floods and landslides, saying that accurate information about the country’s operating and safe destinations needs to reach international tourism markets.
Bhujel said the council would work to provide clear and reliable information about tourism destinations that remain accessible and operational, to restore confidence among international visitors. He said Nepal’s tourism industry should ensure that travelers understand the actual situation on the ground rather than relying on negative reports associated with disaster-affected areas. The council plans to use tourism sector cooperation and international promotion to help communicate Nepal’s tourism conditions and encourage visitors to continue travelling to destinations that are safely operating.
Pokhara Eyes Stronger Air Connectivity
The council also plans to prioritise the expansion of international air connectivity as part of efforts to establish Pokhara as an international tourism hub. Bhujel said the private sector would work with relevant stakeholders to support the expansion of international flights from Pokhara International Airport. He specifically highlighted the need to make Flydubai’s operations successful, viewing stronger international connectivity as an important component of Pokhara’s long-term tourism development.
Improved air links are expected to make Pokhara more accessible to international visitors and strengthen its position within Nepal’s wider tourism network. The council believes expanded connectivity can support the city’s ambitions to attract more international tourists while creating better opportunities for hotels, travel companies, adventure operators and other tourism businesses. Strengthening the airport’s international operations will therefore remain an important part of the new leadership’s strategy for expanding Pokhara’s tourism market.
Wellness And Music Tourism Among New Priorities
The council also intends to move Pokhara’s tourism sector beyond conventional sightseeing by developing wellness and music tourism as additional attractions. Bhujel said the city could build a distinctive identity in international tourism markets by hosting large-scale musical events and introducing new tourism activities. The strategy is aimed at diversifying Pokhara’s tourism products and attracting visitors interested in experiences beyond the city’s traditional natural and adventure attractions.
The Pokhara Tourism Council brings together tourism-related organisations representing 14 different sectors, with their presidents serving as ex-officio members. Through the new leadership, the council plans to identify common challenges facing tourism businesses, coordinate with government agencies to address them and strengthen cooperation across the private sector. The broader goal is to establish Pokhara as a safe, well-managed, and diverse tourism destination while expanding its presence in international markets.
