Call for Tourism Partnership Between Pokhara and Koshi Province During 'Jau Hai Pokhara' Campaign

Biratnagar. During a program organized here under the 'Jau Hai Pokhara' (Let's Go to Pokhara) campaign, which is currently underway in Eastern Nepal, organized by Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Pokhara in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province, emphasis was placed on establishing tourism partnership between Pokhara and Koshi Province.

Speakers at the event stated that both cities, Pokhara, the tourism capital, and the Gandaki Province, along with Biratnagar and Koshi Province, known as Nepal's industrial city, possess significant tourism potential, and a tourism partnership would benefit both cities.

Rajan Shrestha, Chairman of Hotel Association Nepal Koshi Province, stated that both Gandaki and Koshi provinces would benefit from tourism partnership. He mentioned that significant efforts have already been made between tourism-related associations, along with the formation of a ministerial-level committee of the province for tourism partnership with Gandaki Province, and stressed the need for its effective implementation.

Bhavi Shrestha, Vice President of Hotel Association Nepal Koshi Province, stated that there is immense tourism potential between Pokhara, home to Machhapuchhre and considered the best city in Nepal, and Koshi Province, home to the world's highest peak, Sagarmatha.

He informed that a large number of tourists can be exchanged through tourism partnership between religious tourist destinations such as Bindhyabasini in Pokhara and Barahkshetra in Koshi. Laxman Subedi, Chairman of Hotel Association Nepal Pokhara, stated that the 'Jau Hai Pokhara' program has been operating in major cities across Nepal for the past 25 years with the objective of domestic tourism, and affirmed their continuous efforts towards tourism partnership.

He announced that the Fewa New Year Festival is scheduled to be held in Pokhara from Chaitra 29 to Baisakh 1, and informed about a package offering a 25 percent discount at Pokhara hotels during that occasion.

He mentioned that over Rs 600 billion has already been invested in the hotel sector of Pokhara alone, and informed that the 1,200 hotels built targeting tourists here can serve up to 40,000 tourists daily.

Mani Raj Lamichhane, Chief of Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province, stated that Pokhara is an excellent destination for nature lovers as it offers the opportunity to observe the Himalayas and lakes simultaneously.

Krishna Prasad Acharya, Chairman of Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki, stated that both provinces would benefit through people-to-people tourism relations and partnership between Gandaki and Koshi.

Pushpa Bhattarai, Chairman of Nepal Association of Travel and Tour Agents Koshi Province, stated that both Pokhara and Biratnagar regions would benefit through tourism partnership.