GANDAKI, JUNE 3
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayankaji Shrestha expressed the government's commitment to develop Nepal a tourism hub.
He said this at dinner reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki province office to welcome the ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions of different countries on the occasion of 74th Annapurna Day in Pokhara on Sunday.
A target has been set to attract 1.6 million tourists next year, he said the government was working to identify and promote new tourism destinations.
"The government is planning to develop tourism circuit along with the identification of new destinations and trekking routes", the DPM noted.
He urged the ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions to promote Nepal's tourism in their communities and the country.
DPM Shrestha said the Nepali people are known all over the world in terms of spiritual culture. Tourists from all over the world come to Nepal to see many natural and cultural heritages, including Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha and the Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.
DPM Shrestha said Pokhara, the tourism capital, is also being developed as an important destination for adventure tourism activities.
On the occasion of Annapurna Day, ambassadors of various countries and representatives of diplomatic missions marched from Dhampus to Astam in Kaski.
The trekking expedition was organized in memory of the ascent to the 8,000-meter high mountain for the first time in the world.
On June 3, 1950, French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachnal scaled the 8,041-metre-high Annapurna First mountain.
Annapurna Day is celebrated every year in memory of this day. The 74th Annapurna Day is being celebrated in tourism capital Pokhara today by organizing several activities.
