Pokhara hotels to offer 20% discount for tourists in New Year

LEKHNATH (KASKI), MARCH 18: Hotels in Pokhara, Nepal’s tourism capital, are set to offer a 20 percent discount on room rates for tourists during the New Year. The discount is part of the 20th Fewa New Year Festival 2081, organized by the Hotel Association Pokhara to promote Nepali culture, cuisine, and both domestic and international tourism. The announcement was made at a press conference held yesterday in Lakeside, Pokhara.

Scheduled from Chaitra 30 to Baisakh 1 along the banks of Fewa Lake, the festival aims to extend tourists’ stays by highlighting Nepali cuisine and traditional culture. Laxman Subedi, president of the association, stated that at a time when the economy is sluggish, such events help stimulate economic activity. He also noted that the festival will require an estimated budget of Rs. 50 lakh.

As part of the "Jau Hai Pokhara" campaign, the association has introduced special travel packages, including Ghumgham Pokhara, Shaikshik Bhraman Pokhara, and Madhumas Pokhara, to attract more visitors. The festival will feature cultural performances, folk duets, sports competitions, a tourist marathon, pop concerts, and exhibitions showcasing agricultural and handicraft products. The event will span a three-kilometer stretch along the Fewa Lake shoreline, from Damside to Khahare.

Pokhara’s hotels collectively offer accommodations for up to 40,000 tourists, with current occupancy at 40 percent, including both domestic and international visitors, according to Subedi. With Pokhara Metropolitan City declaring 2025 as Pokhara Visit Year, the number of domestic and Indian tourists has already begun to rise.