Connectivity, collaboration vital for tourism: entrepreneurs

By Rup Narayan Dhakal: Nepalgunj—Tourism entrepreneurs from Pokhara and western Nepal unanimously stressed on the need of air and road connectivity to promote domestic and international tourism in their regions. The issue came to light as a team of Paschimanchal Hotel Association Pokhara (PHAP) arrived far west and held series of interactions with the entrepreneurs from here.

Such interactions including press meets were carried out as a part of the domestic tourism restoration and tourism promotion program under the Jaun Hai Pokhara aka let’s go to Pokhara campaign conducted from March 5 to 9 of 2021 in Sudur Paschim and Lumbini Province. Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Bardia and Kanchanpur were covered under this program which was promoted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).

A 14-member group of hoteliers and media had landed at Nepalgunj Airport via Sita Air aircraft to promote the tourism of Pokhara. Sita Air has been operating chartered flights in Pokhara-Nepalgunj route twice a week since February 19. Entrepreneurs from Pokhara, Lumbini Province and the far west have urged the government and private sector to conduct flight service in this route regularly and sustainably.

At the same time, Buddha Air has vowed that it would operate daily flight service in the Pokhara-Nepalgunj route once the Indo-Nepal border would be opened. The border has been closed for a long due to Covid- 19 pandemic. Entrepreneurs have dissatisfied with that closure and governments of both nations seem reluctant to open the border promptly. Similarly, entrepreneurs have also commonly agreed to work together for their mutual benefits.

According to PHAP Chairman Bikal Tulachan, the promotion campaign was held to revive the hard-hit tourism of Pokhara including its surroundings. Earlier, such a campaign was also launched in three different cities of East Nepal. NTB member Biplab Paudel, PHAP advisor Hari Sharma Gaire, PHAP immediate past president and Hotel Association Nepal member Bharat Raj Parajuli also were the member of the visiting group during this time.