ANALYSIS OF TOURISTS' LENGTH OF STAY IN POKHARA, NEPAL

Tourists' length of stay (LOS) is desired by researchers and tourism business managers because it contributes to tourism earnings. Although Pokhara is a popular tourist destination in Nepal, no previous study has empirically investigated tourists' LOS. Thus, this study investigates tourists' LOS in Pokhara, Nepal. The data for this study were collected through a survey of 275 visitors who stayed at least one night in Pokhara. Zero-truncated negative binomial and ordinary least squares regressions were used to model tourists' LOS and determinants. In general, both methods produce similar estimates. The results suggest that visit frequency, nationality, age, education level, and expenditure are major determinants of tourists' LOS. Contrary to expectations, gender and satisfaction are not statistically significant indicators. These findings have important implications for tourism managers and policymakers.