There is no real data on how many tourists came to Nepal and how many went to which province. Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality says that they are just starting. The Nepal Tourism Board has released the data that 11.5 million tourists arrived in 2024. But hotel associations and tourism professionals do not accept that data. There is an error in the data kept by the board.

Our children and non-resident Nepalis come to Nepal to visit family and relatives. They do not give business to hotels, restaurants, travel/trekking etc . They come back after meeting their family . The board has also taken it as a tourist. Non-resident Nepalis who came for a family meeting have also been counted in the number of tourists. 

Nepal Rastra Bank has published the data that a tourist spends 42 dollars and the stay period in Gandaki province is 15 and a half days . Pokhara's hotel association and tourism professionals do not agree with the data published by the National Bank. Rastra Bank visited some big hotels and took general data and released the data. That's not real data . 

There are more than 700 hotels in Lakeside and Damside of Pokhara. There are more than 1200 hotels around Pokhara. Tourists don't have to stay only at lakeside and damside. They could live anywhere. Only 425 hoteliers are members of the hotel association. But there are more than 1200 hotels. The association can only provide data for 425 hotels . But the data of more than 800 hotels is missing. So the real data has not come. 

Out of 1200 hotels in Pokhara, only 400 hotels are registered with the tourism department. The hotel registration process is complicated and rigorous. Another problem has been added to the hoteliers . Due to Environment Act 2076, Regulations 2077, 10 percent of hotels in Gandaki Province are not in the process of renovation. Due to the government's policy, hotels that have been running for 30 years are now in a situation where they will not be renewed if they do not carry out an environmental impact assessment. Hotels with more than 25 beds will not be renewed. It would have been easier if the government had made it mandatory for new buildings or buildings with at least 25 rooms to carry out an environmental impact assessment. 

We also want to do an environmental impact assessment . But the buildings of Pokhara are not according to any law. Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality has issued a notification that it will be archived. More than 1400 have applied for that. Although it is said to be documented by paying three times once, it will not be applicable to hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments.  

The rate of documentation has been set at 300 percent by the Cabinet of the Union Government. The rate is set nowhere in the world . Leaders amend other laws if they are comfortable with them but what stops them from amending the laws which are favorable for the country and the people ? Due to the laws and regulations of the government, the tourism businessmen are in difficulty . More than 15,000 people have been employed in hotels and restaurants in Pokhara. But there is a shortage of skilled workers. Lately, they have been saying that the mountains are black. We are environment friendly . The mountains have not turned black because of us.