SANGAM

Arrivals up by 9pc in Pokhara

SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, AUG 10 -
The number of international visitors to Pokhara increased by 9 percent to 203,527 in 2009. Total arrivals in Nepal in 2009 amounted to 509,956. The number of tourists visiting Pokhara in 2008 and 2007 amounted to 186,643 and 165,177 respectively.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Indian tourists made up the largest segment visiting Pokhara last year. Tourists from India numbered 46,508 followed by Japan (15,223), the UK (14,900), Germany (14,037), China (9,501), the US (9,201), Australia (5,003) and other countries (81,335).

Of the total visitors, the number of German visitors doubled last year. In the previous year, visitors from Germany numbered 7,735. Similarly, Australian, French, British and American visitors saw a modest growth last year.

However, the number of visitors from Japan and China decreased in 2009 compared to 2008.

Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal. It is the starting point for most of the treks in the Annapurna area. Since 2005, the number of tourists visiting Pokhara has increased by 175 percent. In 2005, there were 74,012 tourists.

Following the comprehensive peace accord in 2006, tourism in Pokhara saw a dramatic rise. There were 94,799 tourists in 2006. In 2007, Pokhara hosted 165,177 tourists, an increment of 74 percent.

Considering its huge tourism prospects, the government is planning to connect Pokhara with cities in India by air to attract more visitors. Plans are underway to start linking Lucknow with Pokhara.

With Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (NTY-2011) approaching, travel trade entrepreneurs in Pokhara have started preparations to welcome about half a million foreign visitors.

There are two five-star hotels, two three-star hotels and nine three-star hotels in addition to a large number of one-star and tourist standard hotels in Pokhara.