Pokhara Tourism Council Urges Prime Minister for International Flights and Policy Changes

In a bid to rejuvenate tourism in Pokhara, the Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC) has submitted a comprehensive memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. The memorandum outlines critical issues plaguing the tourism sector in Pokhara and proposes actionable solutions.

Led by PTC Chairperson Pom Narayan Shrestha, a delegation met with Prime Minister Prachanda in Pokhara to discuss pressing matters. Foremost among the concerns highlighted in the memorandum is the need to initiate regular international flights from Pokhara International Airport. PTC underscored that irregular flight services and the dilapidated condition of major roadways connecting Pokhara have hindered tourism growth in the region.

Additionally, PTC emphasized the economic challenges faced by tourism entrepreneurs, citing risks to investments and declining employment opportunities. The memorandum urges the government to provide support and flexibility for entrepreneurs to repay loans amidst economic sluggishness.

Furthermore, PTC called for a restructuring of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) to ensure adequate representation from Pokhara on its Executive Board, currently vacant. The council stressed the importance of promoting Pokhara as a tourism hub and advocated for incentive packages to encourage international airlines to operate flights from Pokhara.

In response to the ban on individual paragliding imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) following an accident during the Ninth National Paragliding Competition, PTC expressed concern. The memorandum highlights the demoralization of paragliding enthusiasts who are unable to practice due to the prohibition.

The Pokhara Tourism Council’s memorandum serves as a comprehensive call to action, urging the government to address key challenges hindering tourism development in Pokhara. Prime Minister Prachanda’s attention to these issues is seen as vital for revitalizing the tourism sector and fostering economic growth in the region.