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Decreasing tourist stay worries experts

Pokhara: Tourism experts have expressed concern at the decreasing trend of tourist stay period in the Lake City. Transformation of Pokhara as a transit point rather than real destination has worried tourism experts.

Experts gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of Waterfront Resort located at Pokhara’s Setiheight run by Kathmandu Guest House (KGH) Group of Hotels and Resorts, today, stressed on the need to take prompt initiatives to lengthen tourist stay in Pokhara.

At the programme, founder of KGH Group of Hotels and Resorts Karna Shakya stressed on the need to promote other attractions similar to paragliding, ultra light and jeep flyer to increase tourist stay in Pokhara.

Stating that the establishment of Waterfront was a positive thing, Shakya said that it was unfortunate that the Lake City was turning into a one-night location for tourists going for trekking in the Annapurna region.

He called on stakeholders to increase tourist stay to four nights to promote tourism in Pokhara and its adjoining areas.

According to one statistic, average tourist stay in the country is 13 days and each tourist spends 39 American dollars per day on average.

Likewise, average tourist stay in the Lake City is around 1.5 days and tourist expenditure on average is 15 dollars per day.

Shakya urged participants to develop Pokhara as a destination whereby tourists visit it for a second time.

“Nepali hospitality and the welcoming tradition are great attractions for foreigners,” he added.

Speaking at the function, former chief executive officer of Nepal Tourism Board Prachanda Man Shrestha said that tourism could be promoted with the community’s interest, nature, culture and professionalism.

He added that to provide international facility through national resources was a challenge for the tourism sector. He held that good environment, positive thinking and intimacy were necessary for developing tourism.

Former secretary at the ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation Dipendra Purush Dhakal said that since Kathmandu had turned into a concrete jungle, tourists had the opportunity for a clean environment in Pokhara and that needed to be highlighted.

He underscored the need to construct an international regional airport to increase tourist stay in Pokhara.

Chairman of Hotel Association Nepal Shyam Sundar Lal Kakshapati emphasised on promoting joint venture initiatives between the private sector and the government to attract more tourists. Managing director of Waterfront Resort Diwakar Raj Rajkarnikar said that the resort was eco-friendly as it had water boring, solar and garbage management systems.

Meanwhile, as many as 25 people donated blood at the blood donation programme held at the resort.

source: The Himalayan Times,10 Feb 2013