A US-based organisation has expressed its willingness to put investment into the tourism sector of Pokhara, a beautiful tourist destination of Nepal.

According to reports, the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) has already sent a representative of an international consultant firm of the USA named Delight.

Representative Marcus Muller was duly informed about those tourism-related areas of the Pokhara valley which offer viable investment opportunities. According to Govinda Raj Pahari, president, Western Hotel Association of Pokhara, Muller was also briefed about the natural, cultural and historical richness of Pokhara and the Annapurna region.

Bhim Poudel, Treasurer of the association said that they also told Muller about the immense commercial viability of adding "man-made" entertainment zones like Fun Park, Water Park and Bunjee Jumping in Pokhara.

According to data, a huge number of those visiting Pokhara tend to opt for hiking in the Annapurna region. The data stated that those going for hiking spend some US $ 20 per day on an average. The association also informed Muller about the potential investment avenues in the region.

"The USAID can also conduct training programmes in order to produce skilled human resources to effectively serve various tourism related needs of Pokhara," says one tourism entrepreneur of Pokhara. The prevailing political disturbances are said to have been stifling the travel trade business of Pokhara.

Tourism entrepreneurs have been constantly saying that connecting Pokhara to India and China directly via air as well as constructing an international airport in the valley can be instrumental in giving a whole new boost to its tourism market. nepalnews.com