Introduction

Pokhara is a region that is naturally beautiful and rich in it self. Needless to say, from the tourism point of view too, this region is naturally attractive to all tourists and indigenous people as well. It can be made to look still more beautiful by making it lively and accessible to all tourists and visitors from various places. It has been realized that if collective efforts are made with all sincerity and devotion, tourism trade can flourish still better in Pokhara. In new of such consideration, Pokhara Tourism Council has been established with the main objective of maintaining a coordinating role on the way of promoting the tourism of Pokhara in an organized way. For the fulfillment of this objective, a provision has been made to include all torism related non-government organizations/associations as the members of the Pokhara Tourism Council.

This institution was established on Shrawan 2052 B. S. with the name of Pokhara Tourism Promotion Committee so as to provide the telephone services and taxi services to tourists at Pokhara Airport. On 29 Jestha 2059 it received legal recognition from Kaski District Office. At the beginning, it was established with the collective co-operation of Regional Hotel Association of Nepal (RHAN) Pokhara; Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) Regional Chapter Pokhara; Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA) Gandaki chapter Pokhara; Pokhara Hotel Association (PHA); Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Taxi Association Pokhara. Before it was officially recognized from District Administration Kaski, Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), Pokhara Chapter was added to its membership. Thus, at present all together seven agencies are directly related to the council. There has been the provision that all Presidents of the member agencies will be the executive-office members of the Council. One President and four members for the executive committee are elected for two years form among the council members. There has also been the provision that two persons having much experience in tourism field shall be nominated as members of the executive committee.

Within a short spam of time, various programs have been conducted in co-ordination with different agencies and organizations as to bring Pokhara in the map of international market and conserving the natural environment of Pokhara. Due to lack of effective co-ordination, there have been weaknesses like unhealthy competition, duplication of program etc. There is lack of environment to create maximum benefit out of the limited resources. The council has adopted various techniques and policies so as to remove or minimize such weaknesses and play a co-ordinating role to perform the activities on the basis of their priority. Collectively representing the private sectors, the council can provide necessary suggestions to the government regarding the formation of policies and making plans about the development and extension of tourism in the country. The council can also act as a pressure group for the interest of all tourism entrepreneurs and for the promotion of tourism in this region.