Himal Press 
POKHARA: Pokhara is hosting the 18th Fewa New Year Festival to usher in New Year 2080 BS.
The three-day festival, which is being organized by Pashimanchal Hotel Association Pokhara, kicks off in Lakeside on April 12.
Different fun-filled activities will be organized on the stretch between Hallanchowk and Fishtail Gate of the Lakeside during the festival, according to the organizers.
Speaking at a press meet organized in Pokhara on Wednesday, Laxman Subedi, coordinator of the festival and the president of the association, said tourism, culture and food is the main theme of the festival which is being organized to revitalize the tourism sector.
Live performances by renowned artists, cultural tableaus and food stalls are the major attractions of the festival, according to the organizers. Likewise, hotels in Pokhara are providing a 20% discount on room rates during the festival.
Local hoteliers say the hospitality industry in Pokhara is in a state of chaos due to high bank rates and the sorry state of the Prithvi Highway – the gateway to Pokhara. They have called on the central bank to bring loan refinancing programs to provide some relief to the hoteliers.
According to Subedi, hotels in Pokhara have 20-25% room occupancy these days. “We used to have 80-90% occupancy at this time of year before the COVID pandemic,” Subedi said, adding: “We need at least 50% occupancy to survive.”
