'Passport to Pokhara' offer to attract domestic tourists

Pokhara, March 26

The Inland Tourism Revival Committee (DTRC) Gandaki is preparing to bring 'Passport to Pokhara' offer through 'Scratch and Win' to revive the tourism that was slowed down due to Covid-19.

Agni Kandel, the coordinator of the committee, informed that the offer is being brought through 'Scratch and Win' to increase the arrival rate of domestic tourists in Pokhara and attract tourists. "Tourists don't just come; they need some special and attractive plans. That's why we're doing our homework on some of the offers," said Kandel.

According to him, passengers boarding the plane at the airport are given a boarding pass and passengers traveling by tourist bus are given a brochure of 'Passport to Pokhara' along with the ticket. There will be a place to scratch the top of the brochure. After scratching the place, the lucky winner will get the service mentioned there free of cost.

This offer is aimed at Nepali passengers going to different places from Kathmandu. The scratch coupon will include activities such as paragliding, bungee, rafting, jeep line, ultralight, boat, air ticket, bus ticket, hotel, hiking, site scene etc. For the offer, tourism-related organizations will be able to include things related to their respective areas.

Pokhara Tourism Council (PTIS) Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAN) Western, Western Hotel Association (HAN), Nepal Association of Travels and Tour Agents (NATTA) Restaurant and Bar Association 9Rewan0, Trekking Equipment Shop Nepal Mountaineering. Preparations have been made to bring special packages in coordination and cooperation with Association (NMA), Nepal Air Sports Association (NA), Embroidery and Garment Association (AGA), Boat Entrepreneur, Mata Talabarahi Arti Seva Samiti and other organizations.

According to Kandel, the scheme will be targeted at Nepali citizens only at the initial stage. Similarly, sub-committees have been formed in all the districts of Gandaki except Manang and information has been sought from the district about the tourism products and activities of the place.

According to Kandel, the committee is preparing to bring a program emphasizing natural, cultural and religious activities in connection with the tourism issues of the state, along with the need for the latest thinking and special plan in tourism after COVID-19. 

Chief of Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki, Kashiraj Bhandari, said that domestic tourism should be emphasized to accelerate the tourism situation after COVID-19. Stating that tourists can be attracted through special schemes and packages, he said that some latest schemes are being made public through coordination and cooperation with various organizations.

He said that tourism activities have moved forward accordingly by forming internal tourism revival committees in all the seven states of the country. "Along with preparing how to attract tourists, we are now preparing a 'Passport to Pokhara' scheme, which we believe will add a boost to tourists."

He informed that a 'workout' is being conducted with the stakeholders on this issue along with the need for the latest thinking in tourism. He said that the board has been emphasizing the program of highlighting the cultural, religious and natural aspects along with the tourist destinations of the state.