A tourism-focused running event was successfully held in Pokhara’s Lakeside area as part of the Fewa New Year Festival, celebrating Nepali New Year 2083. The event saw enthusiastic participation from locals, athletes, and international tourists, with more than 35 runners taking part. The run was organized with the dual objective of promoting tourism in Pokhara and raising awareness about health and fitness, according to the organizers.
3-Kilometer Route from Khahare to Ambot
The tourism run, one of the key attractions of the 21st Fewa New Year Street Festival, covered a 3-kilometer route from Khahare to Ambot. Participants enjoyed the scenic Lakeside surroundings while taking part in the festive sporting activity. Tourism Run Coordinator Pratik Pahari said that tourists from 28 different countries actively participated in the event, making it a truly international celebration.
Global Participation Enhances Festive Spirit
Participants included visitors from Australia, Canada, several European countries, India, China, and other nations. Organizers said the event aimed to introduce foreign tourists to Nepali New Year celebrations and help them feel a sense of belonging within local cultural festivities. According to Pahari, the event has become an important platform for connecting international visitors with Nepali traditions and culture during the New Year celebrations.
Hotels Report Strong Occupancy in Pokhara
Coordinator Pahari also noted that hotels in Pokhara are currently reporting occupancy rates of around 90 to 95 percent, reflecting strong tourism activity during the festive period. He said such events are boosting confidence among tourism entrepreneurs and adding energy to the local economy. He emphasized that collaborative efforts by hotel associations and tourism stakeholders helped make the event a success.
“Making Foreign Guests Part of Nepali Celebration”
Pahari stated that the main goal of the initiative is to make foreign visitors feel included in Nepali cultural celebrations. “We aim to inform foreign tourists about the Nepali New Year, help them engage culturally, and make them feel that this festival belongs to them as well. With strong teamwork from the hotel association, we were able to successfully organize this event,” he said.
Pokhara Tourism Recovery Gains Momentum
According to Maniram Lamichhane, Coordinator of the Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Province, Pokhara’s tourism sector, which had slowed due to recent political unrest and instability, is now gradually recovering.
He said that “Tourism Revival” programs conducted in collaboration with local tourism organizations and the Nepal Tourism Board have helped increase tourist movement in Pokhara. Lamichhane added that internal tourism slowed for about a month and a half due to the Gen-Z movement, but both domestic and international arrivals are now showing improvement.
Shift in Tourism Markets and Recovery Efforts
The tourism board has been running promotional campaigns such as “Let’s Go to Pokhara” in eastern Nepal and spreading messages like “Pokhara is Safe” in potential source markets. However, recent conflicts in the Middle East have affected tourist inflow, particularly from Europe and the United States. Lamichhane said arrivals from Western countries have dropped by around 20 to 22 percent compared to last year. Despite this, arrivals from India and Southeast Asian countries have increased by 15 to 20 percent, keeping overall tourist numbers close to last year’s levels.
Future Focus on Asian and Pacific Markets
The Nepal Tourism Board is now focusing its promotional efforts on Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Plans include physical promotional campaigns, inviting popular travel vloggers, and increasing international media exposure for Nepal. Lamichhane noted that many Western tourists travel to Nepal via transit hubs in Turkey and the Middle East, and disruptions in those regions have directly affected arrivals.
New Year Draws Large Crowds in Pokhara
Pokhara traditionally sees a large influx of tourists on the first day of the Nepali New Year. With ongoing festivals and improved tourism activity, the city continues to strengthen its position as one of Nepal’s top travel destinations during the festive season.
