USAID organized Mayadevi Trail Race to promote tourism in Lumbini

LUMBINI, May 27:The Mayadevi Trail Race was organized to help develop the Mayadevi trail and promote Lumbini's tourism. On Thursday, over 104 runners met in Tilaurakot for the Mayadevi Trail Race, which was supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID)  and its partners. According to informed, the Mayadevi Trail Race, held in honor of Buddha Jayanti (the birth anniversary of Buddha), demonstrated the potential for tourism development and investment in this area.

The Mayadevi Trail follows the footsteps of Buddha's mother, Queen Mayadevi from her palace in Kapilvastu to her parents home in Devdah, where she gave birth to Prince Siddhartha in a sacred garden.

"The Mayadevi Trail's development aims to provide a unique experience," said Jason Meeks, the US Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission. Tourists from all over the world to walk down this historical trail. This has the potential to boost the regional and national economies.

Speaking during the event, Lumbini Province Chief Minister Jokh Bahadur Mahara stated, "This is the first step toward transforming Lumbini through tourism development." We are appreciative for USAID's assistance in building and marketing the Mayadevi trail. This has enabled the Lumbini state administration to concentrate tourism and allied activities in economic policy.

USAID, in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust, Nepal Tourism Board, Yong Innovations, and others, is highlighting the many tourist attractions on the Mayadevi Trail and attracting private and public sector investment. Since 2022, USAID aid has assisted tourist enterprises in generating approximately $7 million in revenues and attracting $11 million in new investment for Nepal's tourism industry.

This program includes upgrading services in 53 Chitwan hotels and restaurants, 153 community-based homestays, rehabilitating 25 lodges on the Annapurna circuit route, and promoting the Mayadevi route. This initiative is an important aspect of the US government's efforts to promote Nepal's inclusive economic growth as the two countries commemorate their 77th anniversary of partnership.