Tourism partnership between Gandaki, Koshi provinces emphasised at 'Jaun Hai Pokhara' event

BIRATNAGAR: Speakers at a programme held under the ongoing 'Jaun Hai Pokhara' campaign in Biratnagar, Morang emphasised the need for a tourism partnership between Gandaki Province and Koshi Province.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) Pokhara and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Gandaki Province. Speakers said Gandaki, which includes the tourism hub Pokhara, and Biratnagar in Koshi, known as Nepal’s industrial city, both have significant tourism potential and would benefit from closer cooperation.

HAN Koshi Province President Rajan Shrestha said a formal tourism partnership will be mutually beneficial and called for the formation of a provincial ministerial-level committee to implement cooperation effectively.

HAN Koshi Province Vice-President Bhabi Shrestha highlighted the potential for tourist exchanges between Pokhara and Koshi Province, noting Pokhara’s attractions and Koshi’s proximity to Mount Everest. He said partnerships focused on religious destinations could attract large numbers of visitors, citing the Bindhyabasini temple in Pokhara and Barahakhestra in Koshi as examples.

HAN Pokhara President Laxman Subedi said the Jaun Hai Pokhara programme has operated in major Nepali cities for the past 25 years to promote domestic tourism. He added that the Fewa New Year festival will be held in Pokhara from Chaitra 29 to Baisakh 1 this year and that organisers are offering a package with 25% discount on hotels in Pokhara for the occasion.

(With inputs from RSS)