Slow Tourism: Possibilities for Pokhara, Nepal

Abstract

Slow tourism has emerged as an alternative tourism paradigm that emphasizes meaningful travel experiences, longer stays, responsible mobility, community participation, cultural authenticity, and environmental sustainability. Despite growing international recognition, its potential application in Nepal remains largely unexplored. This study examines the concept of slow tourism and assesses its potential for tourism development in Pokhara, Nepal. It uses a conceptual, exploratory, and qualitative approach based on a comprehensive review of scholarly literature and analysis of national tourism policies, periodic development plans, and the Pokhara Sustainable Tourism Action Plan 2023). The findings reveal that slow tourism has evolved into a multidimensional approach. Pokhara possesses strong potential for slow tourism owing to its natural landscapes, rural settlements, cultural diversity, indigenous traditions, local gastronomy, wellness opportunities, and community-based tourism initiatives. The study concludes that slow tourism provides a promising framework for enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of tourism in Pokhara. It contributes to the limited literature on slow tourism in developing mountain destinations and provides a conceptual foundation for future research and policy development in Nepal.