June 16: Gandaki province has given top priority to the development of the tourism sector.     

In the budget for the financial year 2081/82 presented on Saturday, it is stated that promotional programs will be conducted to promote major tourist destinations and attract more domestic and foreign tourists to Gandaki province. And this will be carried out in collaboration with the private sector     

Likewise, various tourism packages will be prepared in collaboration with tourism entrepreneurs and a 'home first and abroad later' campaign will also be carried out. A budget has been arranged for the development of 11 tourist destinations in collaboration and cooperation with the tourist capital Pokhara and the neighbouring local levels.     

According to the budget speech, funds have been allocated for the conservation, development and upgrading of the trekking routes of Annapurna, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhree, Mardi etc. with the campaign called 'Preservation of Trekking routes- Promotion of Tourism'.     

To develop religious tourism in the province, a budget has been allocated for the promotion of the major religious tourist sites in the province such as Gajendramoksha Dham, Muktinath, and Manakamana.     

infrastructure development and capacity development programs will be carried out for homestays to connect rural tourism with production and employment. The necessary budget has been allocated for the construction of lake-to-lake cycling routes in Jomsom of Mustang, Bandipur of Tanahun and Pokhara for the promotion of tourism through cycling.     

It is mentioned in the budget statement that the necessary budget has been allocated to conduct training programs for the production of human resources related to mountain climbing and to encourage and honour the people of the province who climb mountains. (RSS)