The Pokhara Tourism Council has urged the government to introduce immediate policy reforms to strengthen tourism in Pokhara and the wider Gandaki Province. The council submitted a 10 point memorandum to Speaker of the House of Representatives Dol Prasad Aryal, highlighting key challenges faced by tourism entrepreneurs and proposing measures to improve the sector.
A delegation led by Council President Hari Bhujel, representing various tourism related associations, met with Speaker Aryal at Mount Kailash Resort in Lakeside, Pokhara, on Monday. The memorandum focused on improving air connectivity, simplifying administrative procedures, providing tax relief to businesses and protecting the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
International Flights and Better Connectivity Among Key Demands
One of the council’s major demands is the introduction of regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport. It has urged Nepal Airlines Corporation to begin international services from the airport to improve access for international visitors and strengthen Pokhara’s position as a major tourism destination.
The council has also called for labor permit and visa processing services to be made available in Pokhara, reducing the need for travelers to visit other cities for essential procedures. In addition, it has proposed direct domestic flights connecting Pokhara with the provincial capitals of Nepal’s other six provinces to improve regional connectivity and support tourism-related business activities.
Tax Relief and Easier Procedures for Tourism Businesses
The memorandum highlights administrative challenges faced by hotels and other tourism businesses, particularly during the renewal of established hotels under provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 2076 BS, and its associated regulations. The council has called for policy interventions to simplify the renewal process while addressing the concerns of tourism entrepreneurs.
It has also proposed a single window system for tax and revenue collection to reduce administrative burdens. In addition, the council has requested tax concessions for obtaining building completion certificates and registering commercial buildings and hotels in the Lakeside area of Pokhara, where tourism related businesses play a significant role in the local economy.
Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Development
The council has emphasized the need to protect traditional trekking trails in Gandaki Province, many of which are facing pressure from road expansion and inadequate maintenance. It has called for dedicated budgets to preserve existing routes and develop new trekking destinations, helping diversify tourism opportunities and maintain Nepal’s appeal among international trekkers.
Other proposals include improving the operation of the Korala border point in Mustang, accelerating the Kaligandaki Corridor highway project, opening the historic Ratna Mandir to the public as a museum and developing a walking trail around Phewa Lake. Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal acknowledged the concerns raised by the council’s member associations and pledged to urge the government to address them. The proposals remain demands for government action, with their implementation yet to be confirmed.
