KATHMANDU: The Koshi Provincial Government has declared this year as ‘Koshi Province Tourism Year’ and is actively engaged in various promotional activities to boost tourism in the province.
The announcement was made through the government’s policy, programs, and budget for the current fiscal year, with dedicated funds allocated to support the initiative.
To oversee and implement the campaign, a Tourism Year Steering Committee has been formed under the leadership of Minister for Tourism, Forest and Environment, Sadananda Mandal. The committee is conducting multiple programs, including nationwide promotional tours.
According to committee member Basudev Baral, two groups have been mobilized for promotional activities across the country. Programs such as ‘Destination Introductory Visits for Domestic and Foreign Media’ and ‘Road Shows’ are being held to highlight Koshi Province’s key tourist attractions.
Baral informed that 17 journalists from India and Nepal are currently touring major tourist destinations in the province. The media tour includes participants from Sikkim, Bihar, and West Bengal.
Simultaneously, another group, led by committee member Rajan Dangal, is conducting road show programs across various cities in Nepal.
The ongoing media tour, which began on Friday and will run through Monday, includes visits to sites such as the Ramdhuni Temple in Sunsari, Barahakshetra, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, religious and natural heritage sites in Dharan, Orange City in Dhankuta, and Chotlung Park in Laligurans Municipality, Tehrathum.
Baral, who also serves as General Secretary of the Hotel Business Federation, Koshi Province, noted that Orange City was developed by combining two localities in Dhankuta, where orange farming is prominent. The initiative aims to support farmers and promote agro-tourism.
Baral is scheduled to visit additional destinations, including the Mundum Trail and Halesi Temple in Bhojpur. He emphasized that the province is organizing diverse programs to attract both domestic and international tourists as part of the tourism year initiative.
The provincial government has allocated Rs 100 million for the tourism year campaign under the Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment in the current fiscal year.
A similar budget has been set aside for the upcoming fiscal year, with Rs 44.7 million earmarked for tourism infrastructure development, site identification, and related activities.
The remaining funds will be utilized through partnerships with private-sector organizations involved in tourism promotion.
Comment