Gandaki is preparing to declare 100 locations as vacation spots in a bid to establish tourism as the province’s primary base for prosperity. The provincial Tourism Ministry plans to release the list of destinations after holding discussions with Provincial Assembly members and local body representatives.

Provincial Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Bikas Lamsal they would hold meetings with all local bodies within two weeks, and draw up a list of sightseeing locations and publish it within a month. According to Lamsal, 100 tourist destinations will be named and promoted to celebrate 2019 as internal tourism year.

“In order to promote the identified destination and build the necessary infrastructure, we will propose a budget of Rs5 million for each of them,” said Lamsal.

He added that while celebrating internal tourism year 2019, the provincial government would bring 1.5 million domestic tourists from Mechi to Mahakali to the province. By 2022, Gandaki Province aims to host 2 million foreigners, said Lamsal.

According to the ministry, it has already started discussions over the potential 100 locations in the 11 districts of Gandaki Province.

“The list will be made public only after the meeting with local bodies,” said Lamsal. For starters, the provincial government has identified 11 locations in Kaski, 10 in Tanahu, 12 in Gorkha, 10 in Lamjung, nine in Manang, 10 in Mustang, 10 in Myagdi, 11 in Baglung, 11 in Parbat, 11 in Syangja and nine in Nawalpur districts.

The federal government has already included Ghale Gaun and Kaulepani, Lamjung in its list of 100 tourism destinations to be promoted by the centre.  

According to Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung of Gandaki Province, the provincial government will include some established locations and some completely new locations in its list.

“As we have considered tourism to be the main foundation for our growth, we are exploring new possibilities on this front,” said Gurung.

The provincial government said it was also preparing to develop Gandaki as a destination for nine adventure sports. Ultra light, rafting, bungee jumping, zip flying, hot air ballooning, paragliding, canyoning, pony trekking, horse riding and skiing are the adventure tourism activities that the provincial government wants to promote, according to Lamsal. “We will hold discussions with the stakeholders finalise it,” he said.