Pokhara: With the long Dashain–Tihar holidays, clear weather, and the enchanting views of the Himalayas and lakes, Pokhara has once again come alive with crowds of both domestic and foreign tourists. The city’s hotels, restaurants, and major attractions are bustling with vibrant activity, signaling a strong revival of the tourism sector that had slowed down in recent years.
Crowds at Major Tourist Spots
Thousands of tourists are visiting Pokhara’s popular destinations daily, including Pumdikot, World Peace Stupa, Tal Barahi Temple, Patale Chhango (Devi’s Fall), Gupteshwor Cave, and Bindhyabasini Temple. The “Umbrella Street” at Hallanchowk has become a hotspot for domestic visitors to take photos and make TikTok videos.
The number of people enjoying boat rides on Phewa Lake has also risen significantly, with colorful boats adding to the scenic charm of the city. Likewise, adventurous activities such as paragliding, bungee jumping, and zip flying are witnessing a surge in participants.
Domestic Tourists Spending Freely
According to Hari Bhujel, Senior Vice-President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, domestic tourists currently visiting Pokhara are spending freely and enjoying themselves fully. “Visitors are choosing rooms and meals according to their preferences and spending without hesitation,” Bhujel said. He added that these tourists are not just eating and staying but also actively participating in adventure sports like paragliding and bungee jumping.
“Domestic tourists have played a major role in reviving Pokhara’s tourism rhythm. Although they don’t often buy souvenirs or gifts, their contribution to all other tourism activities has been significant,” Bhujel explained. He also noted that the current wave of domestic tourists consists of quality visitors, while the number of foreign tourists is also increasing day by day.
Hotel Operators Excited
Laxman Subedi, President of the Hotel Association Pokhara, said hotel occupancy in the city has risen remarkably in recent days.
“The long Dashain–Tihar holidays and favorable weather have attracted domestic tourists from across the country to Pokhara. The number of foreign visitors is also growing,” Subedi said.
According to him, nearly 90% of hotels around Lakeside were fully booked on Friday and Saturday. Currently, there are more than 1,200 tourist-standard hotels operating in and around Pokhara, with over 700 concentrated in the Lakeside and Damside areas. Subedi added that from five-star to budget hotels, Pokhara has the capacity to accommodate around 40,000 guests in a single night.
Trekking Routes Also Busy
Krishna Acharya, President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Pokhara, said trekking trails such as Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, and Ghorepani–Poon Hill have seen a rise in trekkers.
“Currently, over 1,200 foreign trekkers and around 4,000–5,000 Nepali trekkers are heading to various short and long trekking routes via Pokhara. After the recent Gen-Z movement, domestic travelers have shown remarkable support for promoting internal tourism, which is a very positive sign for the sector,” Acharya noted.
Although some foreign tourists had initially canceled their visas due to rumors of unrest, bookings and arrivals have since picked up again, he said.
Tourism entrepreneurs expect that the number of foreign visitors from neighboring countries like India and China, as well as from other parts of the world, will continue to grow in the coming months. Even without major government initiatives, domestic tourists have organically fostered a travel culture, creating a lively and festive atmosphere across Pokhara.
