Government Unveils Tourism Development Plans for Fiscal Year 2083/84

Kathmandu. The government has brought mostly old plans for the development and expansion of the tourism sector through the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/084. The program presented by President Ram Chandra Paudel in a joint meeting of both houses of the federal parliament includes digital systems and international promotion programs in tourism. The government aims to implement a 'One Door Digital Tourism System' by integrating tourist permits and services from the immigration point. Similarly, the search and rescue system for mountain tourism safety will be connected with modern technology. The government has adopted a policy to promote internationally to increase tourist arrivals, increase per tourist spending, and extend the length of stay in preparation for 'Visit Nepal 2085'. The government will launch a national campaign 'Devbhumi Nepal' to make Nepal the center of world spiritual tourism. Under this, Nepal will be developed as a destination for religious, cultural, health, study, film, spiritual, and leisure tourism. The government has brought a program to promote areas like Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Janakpurdham, and Muktinath through spiritual pilgrimage diplomacy. The objective is to spread Nepal's cultural pride worldwide. This is a continuation of the ongoing programs. 5 Thousand New Homestays to be Branded 'Nepal Homestay' The policy of connecting homestays with local art and culture has been adopted to bring the benefits of tourism to the local communities. Tourism will be utilized to increase the income and employment of marginalized and Dalit communities. With the implementation of the 'Living Museum' concept, there is a plan to include at least five thousand new homestays in the online booking platform with the branding of 'Nepal Homestay'. This is expected to help increase rural tourism and consumption of local products. Similarly, to make Nepal an attractive destination for adventure tourism, infrastructure and safety standards for areas like mountaineering, trekking, rafting, paragliding, and skydiving will be improved. With the goal of developing a new tourism ecosystem based on nature and culture, priority will be given to new destinations in Karnali, Sudurpashchim, Madhesh, and Koshi provinces. At least 10 new trekking routes will be identified and promoted in the Himalayan, mid-hill, and Terai regions. Furthermore, the program to restructure the Nepal Tourism Board under a public-private partnership model to make it more effective and dynamic is included in the policy and program.