POKHARA: Pokhara, one of the best tourist destinations in Nepal, is bracing up for the Nepal Tourism Year-2011 (NTY-2011). Along with tourism entrepreneurs, businessmen, artists, government officials, players and journalists are busy exploring areas for improvement to attract more and more tourists during the tourism year.

NTY-2011 will be launched in Pokhara on April 11. NTY-2011 was launched in Kathmandu about a month and a half ago.

Biplab Poudel, programme coordinator, Western Region Launching Programme, NTY-2011, said Pokhara was preparing to launch the programme because the city is the second most popular tourist destination in the country.

Tourism entrepreneurs are expecting about half a million tourists to visit Pokhara. The government has said about 1 million tourists will be visiting the country during NTY-2011.

Khagendra Thapamagar, world’s shortest man, and Rajamama of Kusunda community will take part in the launching programme, said Poudel. “Preparations are on to attract around five lakh foreign visitors and three lakh domestic tourists,” he added.

Nineteen sub-committees have been formed for the launching. Tourism entrepreneurs in Pokhara have also urged all the stakeholders not to call bandh or strike during NTY-2011.

Shreekant Khatiwada, facilitator, Western Development Region Secretariat, NTY-2011, said the launching would be a grand function as the private and public sectors are participating with equal enthusiasm. Emphasising on the need for promoting adjoining villages of Pokhara as tourist destinations, Khatiwada said, “Sustainable rural tourism should be promoted to draw more visitors on a regular basis.”

Basudev Tripathi, former member, Nepal Tourism Board also underscored the need for promoting rural tourism.

Likewise, Narayan Karki, chairman, Kaski chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists, urged media persons to act responsibly to make NTY-2011 a success.

According to businessmen, nearly 40 billion rupees has been invested in tourism sector in Pokhara. Altogether 475 big and small hotels are operating in Pokhara at present.