(Basudev Poudel)
Kathmandu, December 30: The Gandaki State has decided to promote its nature and culture as prime tourism products in the international market through the Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign. The very campaign, which is beginning from tomorrow aims to attract 2 million foreign tourists in the country in 2020.
So far, 110 touristic destinations have been identified in this State which is spread across 21,773 square kilometers of the land, comprising 11 districts. It is home to numerous amazing touristic destinations. According to official data, of the total number of tourists visiting Nepal, 45 percent visit the State.
The tourism business was formally begun in the State with French national Maurice Herzog successfully climbing the Peak Annapurna on June 3, 1950. Muktinath, Manakamana, Damodar Kunda, Galeshwor Mahadev, Bindhyabasini, Dhorbaraha, Keladighat, Tribeni, Devghat, and Setibeni are among those famous religious shrines here. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Annapurna and Manaslu conservation area, Dhawalagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu massif have further enriched its natural beauty.
It is gifted by several natural heritages like the Tilocho Lake situating at an altitude of 4,919 meters, nine water natural lakes (in Pokhara) listed in the Ramsar list, world’s deepest Dana Galchhi in Myagdi, Rupse Falls, several unique caves, and world-famous Annapurna circuit which have their incredible contribution to enhancing its identity as home to distinct touristic features. The rural settlements and homestay facilities available here has helped to promote its cultural identity.
The State government seems all devoted to take the VNY 2020 as a precious opportunity to realize its goal of globalizing its distinct identity. A tourism promotion committee has been constituted under the coordination of Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Bikash Lamsal to make the Visit Year a grand and equally a systematic and decent. Gandaki State joint coordinator Agni Kandel described nature and culture as the major bases for tourism. “We have set our priority- the globalization of these assets.”
All 11 districts in the State have touristic destinations and we are committed to further promoting them through the Visit Year, he said. Machhapuchhre Peak, Mahendra Cave, Gupteshwor Cave, David Falls, Dhungesanghu-based natural bridge, historic kots (altars) dating back to the era of 22-24 principalities, Manang and Mustang known as the districts beyond the Himalaya, Muktinath in Mustang, Lomanthang, Kagbeni, Marfa, and Thini are among the famous sites for the visit. According to Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) western regional former chair and Nepal Visit Year-2020 Gandaki state member Som Thapa, Annapurna Circuit remains as one of the world’s ten best trekking routes. It is the first choice of foreign guests arriving here.
Lamjung’s Besisahar is its point of origin and concludes upon reaching Jomsom, Muktinath via several parts of Manang and Thorang Pass. Ghorepani-Annapurna base camp trekking route, Mardi trekking route, Millennium Trek connecting Dulegaunda of Tanahu to Rambachha of Syangja are the other major attractions here. Gandaki State is important in view of the village tourism, said Village Tourism Promotion Forum (VITOF) Gandaki State Chair Rabindra Raj Poudel.
There is a plan to give 20 percent offer on homestay service for tourists targeting the Visit Year. Bandipur which takes no time to steal the hearts of visitors offers mesmerizing views of Marsyangdhi Valley to the north and Ganesh and Machhapuchhre Peaks. Sirubari (in Syangja), part of the State, is the first village in the country launching a home stay facility and highlights the culture of the Gurung community.
Ghalegaun earns the identify of another attractive touristic destination in the State. Tea garden, pasture land for sheep and the Temple of Uttar Kanya leave visitors spellbound and the State government is all set to globalize these assets through the VNY 2020. RSS
