A Tourism Haven

If you have flown to Pokhara recently, upon landing, you will step into the brand new airport, Pokhara International Airport (PIA). Built with modern amenities, the airport is sleek and quite facilitated, even as there have been rumours of corruption in its construction. Keeping aside this misgiving, the newly built airport has certainly added a new aspect to the tourism sector in Pokhara. As of today, it happens to be the third international airport in Nepal, the other two being Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. 

The idea for an international airport in Pokhara was first put forward in 1971, following which the government acquired land for this project in 1976. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) carried out a feasibility study in 1989. But it took decades to finally begin construction in April 2016 and it was only on January 1, 2023, that the airport was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda. It was such a historic event that the day was allocated a public holiday in Pokhara as its residents celebrated this new turn of events. 

Undoubtedly, PIA has brought new hope to Pokhara, which remains one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Nepal. Certainly, the valley welcomes the visitors with its majestic Machhapuchhre Mountain and the Annapurna range. Numerous lakes adorn the valley, the main being Fewa Lake, on which one can see the reflection of the mountain ranges and surrounding hills. A boat ride there is quite a pleasant experience, with the gentle sway of the boat while taking in the natural scenery. In the centre of the lake lies a temple called Barahi Temple, which adds a religious motif to the area. Unsurprisingly, the lake is the most prized attraction of the valley.

Other tourist attractions are Sarangkot, Begnas Lake, Bindabasini temple and so on. One can even ride a cable car to Sarangkot from Lakeside, which offers a panoramic vista of the mountain ranges along with the view of Pokhara. Especially during sunrise and sunset, the views are stunning. Due to its geographical location, pleasant weather throughout the year, friendly and hospitable residents and its numerous admirable localities, the valley leaves its impact on the visitors who return time and again. 

As such, given the immense contribution that Pokhara provides to the national economy through tourism, the government must highlight Pokhara even more on the global map. Here, the newly functioning Pokhara International Airport can be leveraged greatly. However, despite the buzz and publicity, the new airport continues to face challenges in drawing regular international flights. To counteract this, PIA can promote targeted incentives such as significant discounts and waivers on ticket prices and passenger service for its customers. 

The airport could also participate in international aviation forums and approach airlines, keeping the spotlight on the unique attractions of Pokhara, such as paragliding, trekking, cable car rides and so on. Collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board to carry out joint marketing campaigns in the targeted nations, too, could help. More importantly, PIA could emphasise regional connectivity to make Nepal a hub among South East Asian nations. Such steps could highlight Pokhara while greatly boosting its tourism, which it rightly calls for.