KATHMANDU: A tourism festival is to be organised in Ilam with the objective of overall promotion of tourism in Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung districts of Province 1.

The event, called Mechi Area Tourism Festival Ilam-2018, is going to be organised from December 20 to 31.

It is being organised with the goal of promoting the four districts as tourism destinations and improving the livelihood of locals, the organiser Ilam Tourism Promotion Committee stated.

As many as 150 business stalls will be placed, showcasing the agro-products, handicrafts and other local goods produced in the four districts. There will also be cultural presentations depicting the ethnic culture.

Organisers are expecting a turn-out of more than 50,000 people at the festival. The estimated cost of the festival is Rs 5 million.

Province 1 government, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment, Nepal Tourism Board, and the Mechi Mountain Area Tourism Promotion Committee are the promoters.