Pokhara's economy is overwhelmingly driven by the tourism and hospitality sectors, followed by agriculture, retail, and remittances.
* **Tourism & Hospitality:** The Lakeside (Baidam) district is the commercial heart of the tourism industry, packed with hundreds of hotels, trekking agencies, paragliding companies, and tour operators. * **Retail & Trade:** Mahendrapul, Chipledhunga, and Prithvi Chowk serve as the traditional business and retail districts for locals, featuring markets, electronics shops, and clothing stores. * **Light Manufacturing:** The Pokhara Industrial Estate houses light industries, including food processing, garment manufacturing, and handicrafts. * **Startups:** There is a growing local ecosystem of tech and tourism startups, often supported by local co-working spaces and regional chambers of commerce.
