Pokhara fears losing tourism amid damage

By Santosh Subedi,Kaski, Sept. 15: On 8 and 9 September, the Gen Z movement caused a heavy damage to the tourism sector of Pokhara and surrounding areas as it did across the country. 

Half a dozen large-scale or high-investment hotels suffered vandalism, looting and arson in Pokhara alone. According to the initial estimates, losses at hotels in Pokhara alone exceed Rs. 3 billion.

Hotels targeted in Pokhara’s Lakeside area included Hotel Sarowar, Bagaincha Resort, Pokhara Goodwill Hotel, Hotel Adam, Barpipal Resort and Barahi Hotel, all of which were vandalised, looted and set ablaze. 

According to Laxman Subedi, President of the Hotel Association Pokhara, tourists staying at these establishments were also affected, adding to the overall damage. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Association called for the formation of a powerful judicial committee, the identification and prosecution of the attackers, and the provision of fair compensation. 

It further expressed its readiness to work with the government, insurers, banks and financial institutions to ensure the repair and reconstruction of affected hotels.Subedi said that foreign tourists who had planned to visit Nepal were now cancelling bookings en masse out of fear of the unrest. 

“Losses will be even greater if guests do not come. One worrying question is what message those who escaped alive will take back home,” he said and added that foreign visitors had begun returning to their countries in large numbers, which had dealt a severe blow to the tourism sector.

Tourism entrepreneurs, he said, had never before faced such massive physical losses. “Even during a decade-long conflict, frequent strikes or the 2015 earthquake, the tourism sector did not suffer physical destruction. But this time, it has been paralysed,” Subedi said.  He stressed that such incidents, happening just as the tourist season is about to begin, will have a direct negative impact on tourism. The damage, he warned, would also leave businesses unable to repay bank loans.

The Association condemned the vandalism and arson against tourism establishments, regardless of which side of the so-called peaceful movement was responsible. It said billions of rupees in damages, and the direct impact on thousands of workers was deeply concerning.

Currently, about 1,200 hotels are operating in and around Pokhara, of which 700 are categorised as tourist-standard. Around 450 of them are affiliated with the Association. 

During the GenZ movement, many government offices and several business establishments in Pokhara were also vandalised and set on fire.

Taranath Pahari, President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said it was shocking that such enormous damage was caused in the name of a peaceful protest. 

“One person’s anger led to an entire building being burned down. If this continues, there is no guarantee such incidents won’t happen again. The tourism sector has suffered greatly,” he said. 

Pahari added that just as foreign arrivals were beginning to rise, the violent protests had struck a severe blow. “Even in peak season, the industry will not benefit as expected this year. Infrastructure has been destroyed, workers have lost their jobs, and the sector is under assault from all sides,” he said.