" Celebrating Nepal's Tourism Potential: World Tourism Day 2024"

KATHMANDU, Sep 27:Nepal is celebrating the 45th World Tourism Day today, September 27, 2024, with a series of vibrant events aimed at promoting tourism and revitalizing local economies. The day is marked under the global theme “Tourism and Peace.”

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, along with the Nepal Tourism Board and various tourism organizations, has organized multiple programs across the country. A central celebration committee led by Minister Badri Prasad Pandey has coordinated these efforts. The festivities began with a warm welcome for foreign tourists arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, marking the start of a day filled with cultural activities.

Joint Secretary Ramkrishna Lamichhane noted the collaboration among government bodies, private sectors, and NGOs to ensure a successful celebration. Minister Pandey emphasized the need to showcase Nepal's natural and cultural heritage to establish it as a premier global tourist destination. He expressed optimism about recovering tourism numbers post-COVID-19, with over 1 million tourists visiting in 2023 and more than 800,000 recorded in the first eight months of this fiscal year.

In Kathmandu, the Thamel Nakha Festival is a highlight of the celebrations. Organized by the Thamel Tourism Development Council in collaboration with The Kathmandu Post, this festival aims to transform Thamel into a lively hub of culture, music, art, and cuisine. Rajeev Pandey, vice president of the council, stated that this event seeks to attract both locals and international tourists to rejuvenate Thamel's tourism sector. The festival features live music performances, food stalls, art exhibitions, and even a Muay Thai competition.

Pokhara is also hosting its own festivities to mark World Tourism Day. The Pokhara Tourism Council has organized a mini street festival showcasing cultural performances from Nepal and India. This event aims to attract both domestic and international visitors to the region while strengthening ties between Nepal and India in tourism.

As part of its broader strategy, Nepal aims to attract 1.5 million tourists during this fiscal year. The enthusiasm surrounding World Tourism Day reflects a collective effort to harness tourism's potential for economic growth. Overall, World Tourism Day 2024 serves as a reminder of tourism's vital role in fostering cultural exchange and economic development in Nepal, reinforcing its status as an essential destination on the global map.