GANDAKI: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayankaji Shrestha expressed the government’s commitment to develop Nepal as a tourism hub.

A target has been set to attract 1.6 million tourists next year, he said adding that the government was working to identify and promote new tourism destinations.

“The government is planning to develop a tourism circuit along with the identification of new destinations and trekking routes”, he stated.

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 birthplace of Gautam Buddha and 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.