2007 to be Visit Pokhara Year

The government has decided to observe 2007 as Visit Pokhara Year with the objective of promoting both domestic and international tourism in this scenic city.

After the decade-long conflict and violence, Nepal's tourism has witnessed a gradual improvement. And since Pokhara is a popular spot for tourists, the government has planned to promote tourism there.

"The program is aimed at obtaining maximum benefit from the possibility of cessation of conflict," said Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

The campaign is being jointly organized by the government Nepal Tourism Board and Pokhara Tourism Council. Ghimire informed that a 'golden package' including travel to Pokhara and nearby destinations such as Palpa, Lumbini and Chitwan will also be promoted during the campaign.

It is said that almost one-fourth of the tourists who come to Nepal visit Pokhara. The Visit Pokhara Year aims to increase the number of tourists visiting the city by 40 percent (from the current level of 40,000 a year). Likewise, it aims to increase the number of foreign tourists by 25 percent; increase their average stay from 1.5 to 3 days; and increase their average spending from $25 to $40 a day. The campaign will also aim to rope in tourists from neighboring countries. nepalnews.com sd Dec 30 06