Nepal to be Developed as a Tourism Hub: DPM Shrestha

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayankaji Shrestha, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Nepal into a major tourism hub. His remarks came during a dinner reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepal Tourism Board’s Gandaki province office, held to welcome ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions on the occasion of the 74th Annapurna Day in Pokhara on Sunday.

Shrestha announced a target to attract 1.6 million tourists in the upcoming year. He emphasized that the government is actively working to identify and promote new tourism destinations. “The government is planning to develop tourism circuits along with the identification of new destinations and trekking routes,” he noted.

He called upon the ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions to promote Nepal’s tourism within their respective countries. Shrestha highlighted Nepal’s global reputation for its spiritual culture and its appeal to tourists who come to experience the country’s natural and cultural heritage, including Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, and Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.

Pokhara, known as the tourism capital, is also being developed as a key destination for adventure tourism activities, Shrestha added.

Celebrating Annapurna Day

In honor of Annapurna Day, ambassadors from various countries and representatives of diplomatic missions participated in a trekking expedition from Dhampus to Astam in Kaski. This expedition commemorated the first ascent of the 8,041-meter-high Annapurna I by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal on June 3, 1950.

Annapurna Day is celebrated annually to mark this historic achievement. The 74th Annapurna Day is being celebrated in Pokhara with a variety of activities aimed at promoting the region’s tourism potential.