Pokhara to host festival on World Tourism Day

By Phadindra Adhikari,Lekhnath, Sept. 25: The World Tourism Day will be marked by organising various programmes in Lakeside, Pokhara, on September 27. 

The Pokhara Tourism Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, and Environment of Gandaki Province, Pokhara Metropolitan City and the Nepal Tourism Board, is organising the 44th World Tourism Day.

The festival, including a mini street festival, will be organised from Barahi Chowk to Khahare Chowk starting at 5pm on Wednesday. 

Pom Narayan Shrestha, Chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, in a press meet, announced that various cultural programmes from Nepal and India would be showcased during the festival.

The festival aims to play a significant role in attracting both domestic and international tourists to the Pokhara Valley and Gandaki province. A procession will also be organised from Mardi to Pumdikot on Tuesday, said Shrestha. Entrepreneurs, tourists, and media personnel will attend the rally.   

On Wednesday morning, tree plantation and blood donation programmes are scheduled. On the same day, tourism organisations will welcome and honour the tourists who arrive first in Pokhara by air and bus.  

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Navin Srivastav and Indian tour operators will also participate in the festival, further strengthening the friendly relations and cooperation between Nepal and India in the tourism sector. "This event will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase Nepal's natural beauty, and cultural heritage, and promote mutual tourism growth," said Shrestha.