Pokhreli excited about operation of international airport

Jamuna Barsha Sharma

Pokhara. With the inauguration of Pokhara International Airport on the first day of English New Year 2023 January 1 by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the dream of the people of Pokhara has been fulfilled after four and a half decades.

With the opening of the airport, Pokhara’s tourism businessmen are also very excited. Basu Tripathi, a former executive member of the Nepal Tourism Board and a leading tourism businessman, says that he is very happy that the common dream of all Pokhreli International Airport in Pokhara has come true.

He said, “In the year 2032, the then Regional Commissioner Dr. Shankarraj Pathak envisioned an international airport in Pokhara. With his energetic ability, land acquisition was possible at that time, after continuous efforts; today Pokhreli’s dream has come true.” With the opening of the airport, the arrival of especially Indian religious tourists increased in Pokhara.

Pom Narayan Shrestha, chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said that it was a matter of pride that the national pride project was completed so quickly and inaugurated, and said that he is confident that Pokhara’s tourism will now gain momentum.

“The construction of the airport in Pokhara should not be based on immediate profit/loss, the future debate should be focused on how to gain long-term benefits for the economic development here”, Shrestha said.

He said that Buddha Air has initiated international flights from Pokhara to three different destinations in India and other airlines.

Hariram Adhikari, President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Natta) Gandaki, expressed his belief that the tourism sector of Pokhara will benefit from the operation of the airport.

Since Pokhara is an excellent destination for tourists, now foreign tourists can directly come to Pokhara and enjoy the view of the snow range and the clean environment and it will be further developed as an attractive destination.

Damodar Bhakta Thapa, former president of the Lekhnath Hotel and Restaurant Association, said that he was hopeful that Lekhnath’s tourism would be promoted and developed with the operation of the international airport.