KATHMANDU: The government has announced plans to promote the Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Janakpurdham and Muktinath areas through spiritual pilgrimage diplomacy.
Presenting the policy and programme for the upcoming fiscal year at a joint session of Parliament on Monday, President Ram Chandra Paudel said Nepal’s major religious destinations would be promoted internationally as part of the country’s tourism development strategy.
The policy and programme also prioritizes the expansion of religious, cultural, wellness, educational, film, spiritual and leisure tourism as emerging tourism sectors.
According to the document, community-run homestays, local art, culture and traditional practices will be integrated into tourism promotion efforts to help increase income opportunities for marginalized and Dalit communities.
The government has further announced a target of connecting at least 5,000 new homestays to booking platforms under the “Nepal Homestay” brand.
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