Bandipur, a renowned tourist destination fondly referred to as the "Queen of the Hills," is set to launch ‘Visit Bandipur Year 2025’ campaign to promote tourism. Bandipur Rural Municipality announced at an event held in Kathmandu on December 30 that the year 2025 will be celebrated as a dedicated tourism year with the aim of identifying new products, creating jobs, and revitalising economic activities in Bandipur.
To ensure the success of the initiative, the municipality has established a 21-member Visit Year Secretariat, chaired by tourism entrepreneur Baish Gurung, as stated by Rural Municipality Chairperson Surendra Bahadur Thapa. The Secretariat includes representatives from various organisations such as the Hotel Association, Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), Tourism Development Committee, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Homestay Federation.
“By preserving and developing our natural and cultural heritage, and promoting responsible tourism activities, we envisage a prosperous and culturally enriched Bandipur. Our goal is to attract 200,000 visitors annually through this initiative,” Chairperson Thapa remarked.
Baish Gurung, Coordinator of the Secretariat, outlined ambitious plans to double the number of tourists by promoting Bandipur both domestically and internationally. “During the Visit Year, we aim to attract 100,000 domestic and 100,000 international tourists annually. Building on this, we aspire to welcome 800,000 tourists annually within the next three years,” Gurung explained.
Efforts are also underway to increase the average tourist stay to three days. Additionally, the initiative aims to boost daily spending to USD 75 for international tourists and NPR 3,000 for domestic tourists. At present, Bandipur has 75 hotels and 4 homestays, with a total of 120 hotels and 12 homestays operating across the municipality, offering a combined capacity to accommodate 1,700 visitors daily.
To support these objectives, plans include the development of infrastructure, identification of new destinations, and positioning Bandipur as a leading tourist hub in Nepal. Chairperson Thapa added, “Through the Visit Year initiative, we will create more employment opportunities, encourage investment in hotels and restaurants, and elevate Bandipur as a premier tourist destination. Additionally, at least five new destinations will be identified, developed, and promoted alongside the advancement of tourism-friendly homestay circuits.”
Cultural preservation will also be prioritised, with the development of seasonal packages and promotion of cultural, religious, and rural tourism circuits. Harisingh Gurung, tourism expert and Chairperson of Heritage Nepal, expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute to the conservation of cultural heritage and attract tourists with varied interests.
The municipality also plans to develop tourist packages tailored to different age groups and preferences while encouraging community participation through initiatives such as "Earn and Enjoy Locally" and environmental conservation campaigns.
The total estimated budget for the Visit Year campaign is NPR 44.35 million, which is expected to be funded through contributions from federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as support from various national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations. Regular programmes under Bandipur Rural Municipality will also be integrated into the campaign.
