KATHMANDU: A hike was organised at Black Mountain in Wales, United Kingdom on Saturday with the aim to promote Visit Nepal Year 2020.

The 12-kilometre long hike termed 'Hike for Nepal' — organised by Pokhareli Forum, UK and assisted by Brecon Nepali Society — is probably the first programme organised by Nepalis abroad after the government declared the year 2020 as the visiting year.

The hike carrying the slogan 'Let's walk together for Nepal' was participated by 150 Nepali and foreign nationals. It was curiously spectated by the locals and attracted their curiosity towards Nepal.

Ambassador of Nepal to the UK Durga Bahadur Subedi attended as the chief guest of the programme along with his wife Poonam Rajya Laxmi Subedi. Likewise, Member of Parliament of Brecon and Radnorshire, Chris Davies and his wife Liz Davies were the guests of honour.

Likewise, special guests of the programme included Chairman of the Powys County Council Cllr David Meredith, Mayor of Talgarth Town Council Cllr William Powell, Mayor of Brecon Town Council Cllr Many Trailor, Deputy Mayor of Brecon Town Council Cllr Ann Mathies, Former Mayor of Brecon Town Council Eueun William, Former Mayor of Talgarth Town Council Cllr Jacque Wilding, frequent visitors to Nepal Colin Preece and Irin Preece, Willie and Anthea Jones, and John Wilding.

The programme was also attended by Climber Phurwa Tenzing Sherpa who summited Mt Everest 13 times, 16 Guinness World Record holder Thaneshwor Guragai, and members of 'We Will Rise Foundation'. 'We Will Rise Foundation' has been organising a similar programme in Hong Kong.

Ambassador of Nepal to the UK, Durga Bahadur Subedi said, this kind of programme helps to enhance harmony, brotherhood and prosperity among Nepalis living abroad, plays an important role in attracting interest towards Nepal, and helps to boost tourism in Nepal.

Chairman of Powys County, David Meredith stated that Nepal was his second home and revealed that a 15-member team is visiting Nepal to form a special tie with Dhampus, a village in Nepal.

Pokhreli Forum, UK Chairman Man Gurung said the forum would continue to do this to provide assistance in tourism promotion campaign which has been announced by Nepal government.

According to the Embassy of Nepal in UK, 51,000 British tourists visited Nepal last year and it aims to increase it to 100,000 in 2020.