New Year 2026 eve: tourist influx rises at Pokhara; hotel occupancy hits 75%

December 30, Kathmandu: Tourist activity has increased in Pokhara as the 27th Pokhara Street Festival continues, held to welcome the Gregorian New Year. Business owners report a growing influx of domestic and foreign visitors in the Lakeside area since the festival began on Sunday. The festival started on December 28 and will conclude on January 1.

Restaurant and Bar Association (REBAN) Pokhara President Bishwaraj Poudel said tourist arrivals picked up earlier this year compared to previous editions. He noted that tourism, which had slowed following the Gen Z movement, has regained momentum during the Christmas-New Year festive period. Celebrations linked to Christmas, Tamu Lhosar, and the New Year have added to the attraction, with Lakeside illuminated and a 3.5-kilometre stretch declared a no-vehicle zone to manage crowds and ensure security.

The festivals are featuring cultural performances representing various ethnic communities, traditional music and dances, pop concerts at Komagane Park, and around 35 stalls showcasing agricultural products, local goods and handicrafts.

Meanwhile, hotel occupancy in Pokhara has reached around 75 percent, according to Hotel Association Pokhara Nepal President Laxman Subedi. Hotels in main tourist areas are reporting 80–90 percent bookings, with occupancy expected to rise to 90 percent during peak New Year days.