POKHARA: Efforts have begun to promote Bhadrapur-Pokhara as a tourist destination with the beginning of direct Bhadrapur-Pokhara-Bhadrapur flights.

Mayor of Pokhara Dhanraj Acharya said tourism business of the country will flourish through a combination of domestic and foreign tourists.

He stressed that foreign tourists come to Nepal to enjoy the country’s natural beauty, indigenous skills, lifestyle, costumes, art and culture, so special attention should be paid to their preservation and promotion.

President of NATTA Koshi Province Hareram Adhikari said the 18 to 24 hours journey by land is now limited to an hour, which he said could help promote tourism in both the provinces.

This should be used to promote tourist destinations in the two provinces.

Likewise, Chairperson of Rong Rural Municipality of Ilam, Mayor of Kankai Municipality, Rajendra Kumar Pokharel, Mayor of Birtamod Municipality, Pabitra Mahatara Prasai, Chair of Kachankewal Rural Municipality Kalendra Prasad Singh Rajbansi and other speakers called for funds to improve the basic infrastructure leading to the tourist destinations in the Koshi province.

Media persons from Koshi and Gandaki provinces emphasized on the need to ensure basic infrastructure such as roads, drinking water and transport services in the potential tourist destinations in the two provinces.

It may be noted that Buddha Airlines, a private company, has begun direct flights to and from Bhadrapur to Pokhara from March 9.

The one hour ten minutes flight is expected to help increase the number of domestic tourists as well as tourists from neighbouring India and Bangladesh to the lake city of Pokhara.