Let’s make Nepal a tourist hub: Narayan Kaji Shrestha

Kathmandu. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha has said that the government is committed to developing Nepal as a tourist hub. On the occasion of the 74th Annapurna Day, he said this at a dinner organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Provincial Office to welcome the ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions of various countries in Pokhara on Sunday.
Stating that the target of bringing in 1.6 million tourists next year, he said that the government is identifying and promoting new tourist destinations. “The government is planning to develop the tourist circuit along with the identification of new destinations and footpaths”, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said, “Nature, culture, tradition, geographical diversity, etc. are our tourist heritage.” He asked ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions to spread awareness about tourism in Nepal in their community and country requested.

Citing the motto of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said that Nepalis are known worldwide for their hospitality. He said that tourists from all over the world come to Nepal to see many natural and cultural heritages, including Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam Buddha, and Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.
Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said that the tourist capital Pokhara is developing as an equally important destination for adventure tourism activities. He said that Pokhara can be further developed through meditation, yoga and spiritual tourism.
On the occasion of Annapurna Day, the ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions of various countries took a walk from Dhampus to Astam in Kaski on Sunday. The walk was organized in memory of climbing a mountain higher than 8000 meters for the first time in the world.
On June 3, 1950, French mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachanal climbed the 8,41-meter high Annapurna I mountain. Annapurna Diwas is celebrated every year in memory of the same day. Today, the 74th Annapurna Day is being celebrated in the tourist capital of Pokhara with various programs.