Pokhara tourism remains desolate during Dashain amid protests and bad weather
Summary
Pokhara, usually bustling during Dashain, is desolate this year due to Gen Z protests and bad weather causing massive cancellations and damages in the tourism sector.
Key Points
- Pokhara's tourism is sharply down during Dashain due to Gen Z protests and adverse weather.
- Around 80% of hotel bookings were canceled; current occupancy is about 10%, compared to the usual 70–80%.
- The protests caused physical damages worth Rs 2.5 billion and affected over half a dozen hotels and government offices.
- Tourism recovery requires cooperation among government, businesses, and local authorities to restore trust and improve safety perception.
