• Kamal Thapa

Pokhara, Sept. 03 – With the aim of promoting major tourist destinations in Pokhara and attracting more visitors, the Lakeside Hoteliers Club has launched an interaction program with the management committees and stakeholders of respective tourist sites. The first program was held in the courtyard of Mahendra Cave.

Local participants and leaders stressed that Mahendra Cave, Chamero (Bat) Cave, and Seti River must be included as mandatory sites in sightseeing packages offered to tourists visiting Pokhara.

Although the provincial government has allocated a budget for cave preservation, locals expressed concern that the central government has mapped the Mid-Hill Highway directly through the cave area, endangering natural heritage. They lamented that despite a court-issued stay order, unnecessary political interference still poses risks to historical and natural treasures.

Mahendra Cave Management Committee Chairperson Mahendra Khadka expressed happiness over the interaction and committed to moving forward in collaboration with hoteliers for the overall promotion of tourism in Pokhara.

Lakeside Hoteliers Club President Sunil Poudel Sharma said the club has been working to promote Pokhara’s tourism since its establishment. He explained that the main objective of the interaction program is to ensure that tourists visiting Pokhara can experience all major sites under a “one-door system,” thereby encouraging longer stays.

“Many Indian religious tourists directly visit Muktinath and Pashupatinath through alternative routes without even setting foot in Pokhara. It is crucial that tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara become aware of this situation in time,” he said. He also emphasized the need to establish first-aid centers at natural tourist sites to provide a safe and reliable environment for visitors, while management committees should actively work to enhance the external beauty of such sites.

Amrit Sharma Timilsina, Ward Chairperson of Pokhara-16, expressed disappointment that Nepal, despite being a neighbor to two of the world’s most populous countries, has failed to attract enough tourists. He noted that while statistics show a large number of visitors, the proportion of quality tourists who contribute significantly to the economy is very low.

He added that unhealthy competition among local tourism entrepreneurs, even with a small tourist inflow, has further weakened businesses. He expressed dissatisfaction that although Pokhara has been declared the tourism capital and a Visit Year, both provincial and central governments have failed to provide adequate support. He stressed that all concerned institutions must take responsibility to revitalize the tourism sector.

At the program, Sandeep Thapa, Chairperson of Bindabasini Secondary School—operated with revenues from Mahendra and Chamero caves—said around 1,500 underprivileged and talented students are currently studying at the school.

He proudly noted that the school has achieved the second-best results among community schools nationwide. Recalling that the school was forced to heavily cut teaching and staff positions during the COVID-19 pandemic when tourism came to a halt, he complained that despite the sector’s revival, the expected number of tourists has still not been achieved.

Also present at the program were Anil Basnet, Coordinator of the Mahendra Cave Conservation and Community Development Organization, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Principal of Bindabasini Secondary School, along with locals and hoteliers.

Club Treasurer Sushil Parajuli pointed out that even ordinary sites abroad are heavily promoted to attract tourists, whereas naturally beautiful Pokhara has failed to establish itself as a strong brand. He stressed that international marketing should now be initiated through government mechanisms, with the cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders.

The event was conducted by Club Secretary Jhalak Prasad Tiwari, while Program Coordinator Ishan Khadka informed that one outdoor dustbin each has been distributed at Mahendra Cave, Chamero Cave, and Seti River.