30% of tourists in Pokhara enjoy paragliding

Pokhara: Around 30 percent of foreign tourists visiting Pokhara come to the lake city to enjoy paragliding, according to Nepal Air Sports Association.

“Of around 300,000 tourists visiting Pokhara, more than 100,000 enjoy paragliding,” Sobit Baniya, general secretary of the association, said. “And the number is increasing with each passing year.”

According to the association, around 300 tourists enjoy paragliding flights in Pokhara every day. “September-April is considered the best season for paragliding in the lake city,” added Baniya. “Companies operating paragliding in Pokhara get extremely busy during peak season. But their business during rest of the year is also satisfactory.”

A total of 19 companies have received license from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to operate paragliding business in Pokhara. At present, 17 of them are in business.

Entrepreneurs said the growing popularity of paragliding is one of the major reasons behind rise in tourist arrivals to the lake city. “Growing number of companies and the human resources engaged in the sector shows the popularity of this aviation sport in Pokhara,” said Baniya.

According to Baniya, 30 percent of the tourists enjoying paragliding in Pokhara are Chinese nationals.

source: republica,28 Nov 2012