Tourism planning in Pokhara

The PATA study team in 1975 had clearly pointed out that the suggestions for tourism development in Pokhara had been challenged from the very beginning as Pokhara failed to comply with the recommendations of Tourism Master Plan 1972. As a consequence, the Fewa Lake has been heavily  polluted  and  endangered of  premature extinction,  the charm of old bazaar is vanished and Baidam, the hotspot of tourism activities, might soon be changed into a tasteless assortment of concrete buildings. Not only that, degrading tourism-scape observed in Pokhara coupled with unhealthy competition among the service providers has decreased the

price and quality of services and reduced the return on investment. All these adverse effects evidently can be witnessed in the form of negative physical, human, marketing, organizational and environmental impacts in Pokhara, which, if not addressed with a proper planning, will eventually shy away the quality tourists to other destinations.

A close review of the tourism plans of the past revealed that implementing the plans could be more challenging than merely drafting a good plan. However, this article suggests that an integrated tourism management plan of Pokhara can still reduce the negative consequences of the unplanned development. To ensure the implementation of the suggestions by the concerned agencies, roles and responsibilities of the diverse stakeholders should be clearly chalked out in the initial phase. Another crucial aspect of good tourism planning is to create a sense of ownership among the stakeholders so that they do not feel forced or regulated when it comes to implementing the actions. In this context, the need of the formulation and application of self-governed, voluntary and disciplinary codes of conduct have been felt important for the planned development of tourism with the vision of responsible and sustainable tourism criteria in Pokhara.

There is high emphasis for responsible tourism development through the application of the codes of conduct on integrated approach in this joint effort in Pokhara. A joint research and a small scale responsible tourism development interventions by Pokhara Tourism Council, the Swiss National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South and Kathmandu University highlight this aspect (Upadhayaya and Khatiwada 2012; NCCR 2013). Codes of conduct manual and corporate social responsibility general guidelines for tourism sector in Pokhara have been published in association with Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, Tourism Board in 2013. These guidelines have been relevant in the context of the deteriorating state of natural and cultural heritages and poor management of touristic areas in Pokhara in the past.