Bandipur Rural Municipality has declared 2025 as ‘Bandipur Visit Year’ to promote tourism in the picturesque hill town known as the “Queen of the Hills.” The initiative aims to identify new tourist destinations, generate employment, and boost economic activities in Bandipur.
Announced during a program in Kathmandu on Monday, the campaign seeks to increase annual tourist arrivals to 200,000 by preserving and developing natural and cultural heritage through responsible tourism practices.
21-member secretariat formed
To ensure the campaign’s success, a 21-member Visit Year Secretariat has been formed under the coordination of tourism entrepreneur Baish Gurung.
The secretariat includes representatives from the Hotel Association, Restaurant and Bar Association (REBAN), Tourism Development Committee, Federation of Industry and Commerce, and Homestay Federation, among others, according to Rural Municipality Chairperson Surendra Bahadur Thapa.
Key objectives
The campaign’s primary goals include doubling the number of domestic and international tourists, reaching 1 million visitors annually within three years, and increasing the average tourist stay to three days.
“We aim to attract 100,000 domestic and 100,000 international overnight tourists during the Visit Year,” said Gurung, the secretariat coordinator.
The campaign also plans to increase average daily spending by foreign tourists to USD 75 and by domestic tourists to Rs 3,000.
Current capacity and infrastructure plans
Bandipur currently has 75 hotels and four homestays, while the rural municipality as a whole boasts 120 hotels and 12 homestays, accommodating 1,700 visitors daily.
The initiative involves developing essential infrastructure, identifying and promoting new tourist destinations, and encouraging investment in the hospitality sector to establish Bandipur as a premier tourism destination in Nepal.
“We plan to promote a circuit of tourist-friendly homestays and identify, develop, and promote at least five new destinations in addition to existing tourist hubs,” said Gurung.
Focus on cultural and rural tourism
The campaign will emphasise cultural heritage preservation, seasonal tourism packages, and the promotion of cultural, religious, and rural tourism circuits, said Hari Singh Gurung, tourism expert and chairperson of Heritage Nepal.
Additionally, the municipality aims to design packages tailored to tourists’ age and interests, foster public participation in environmental conservation, and promote the slogan “Earn and Enjoy in the Village.”
Budget and support
The campaign is estimated to cost Rs 44.35 million. Funding is expected from federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as various national and international organizations. Regular programs under Bandipur Rural Municipality and Nepal government initiatives are also included in the budget plan.
