Tourists In Pokhara’s Hotels Are Not In Season: They Have Introduced A Discount Scheme Most of the hotels in Pokhara have become empty of guests during the season (September-November) in the tourism sector. Even after the COVID-19 epidemic, 40 per cent of the hotels that were full of tourists at this time last year are now empty.
Hotel association Pokhara has announced a 30 percent discount after having to keep the rooms empty during the peak tourist season. Businessmen say that they had to announce discounts for the first time after the guests did not come in this season, which is considered very suitable for the festive season in Nepal and also for foreign tourists.
Even after the COVID, it had come to a rhythm,” said Laxman Subedi, president of Hotel Association Pokhara, “This is the first time such a discount has been announced during the pin season when most tourists come.”
The hoteliers of Pokhara have announced that they will give up to 30% discount till Dashain, Tihar and Chhath. Rajendra Dhakal, General Secretary of Hotel Association Pokhar, said that a 30 percent discount will be given for dining and staying in hotels in Pokhara starting from Tuesday.
However, due to the lack of tourists, it was not possible to reach 40 per cent, said Hari Sharma, president of Hotel Association Gandaki.
There are about 450 hotels under the Pokhara Hotel Association. Subedi, president of the association informed that a circular has been issued to give a 30 percent discount for staying and eating in that hotel and coordination is being done with other hotels as well.
Businessmen say that because of the message that many people have died due to flood and landslides, not only the roads have been damaged in many places, but also the buses have been destroyed and the condition of most of the roads is also bad, not many tourists have come. Ganesh Pahari, vice president of Sangh Pokhara, said that hotel room bookings have also been cancelled after the floods and landslides.
He said that the message should be given that now the monsoon has started and Pokhara is safe. President Subedi said that discounts have been announced for that and some hotels are also announcing packages. According to Subedi, some tourists are still on a pilgrimage and Nepali tourists are also trying to come during the Dashain holiday, so the union is going to invite guests by announcing discounts.
It is estimated that about 5 billion has been invested in Pokhara’s hotel and about 15,000 laborers will work. It is said that the hotel in Pokhara has the capacity to accommodate 40,000 people at a time. However, there are many small and big hotels that are not affiliated with the association.
It is estimated that there may be 1,000 hotels in the lakeside area alone. When there are fewer tourists, many hotels have to compete, and there are cases where tourists are harassed. There are not many problems as they come to tourist-level hotels by booking online. However, Subedi, the president of Hotel Association Pokhara, says that they have also requested and coordinated the operation of hotels other than that by providing quality service.
