POKHARA, June 2: On the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt Annapurna, chiefs of diplomatic missions from over a dozen countries are visiting Pokhara today.

A three-day program is being organized to commemorate the first ascent of Annapurna. On the first day, high-ranking officials from various diplomatic missions are visiting Pokhara.

The chiefs and staff of the diplomatic missions will depart for Dhampus in Kaski, with a scheduled trek from Dhampus to Aastam via Dhital Gaun. They will return to Pokhara tonight.

Tourism entrepreneurs anticipate the visit by these diplomatic chiefs and representatives to boost the number of tourists from their respective countries to Pokhara.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, along with Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, ambassadors, and high officials from the USA, the UK, India, China, Israel, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, and Malaysia, will arrive in Pokhara today.

Representatives from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will also participate in this visit.

Nabin Pokharel, officiating chief of Nepal Tourism Board in Pokhara, said that three mountaineers - Purnima Shrestha, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, and Lakpa Dendi Sherpa - who have climbed Annapurna, will be honored on the occasion.

"The visit by the officials from the diplomatic missions is expected to increase the number of tourists from these countries to Nepal in the coming days," Pokharel said at a press conference held on Saturday. "The role of diplomatic missions is crucial in conveying positive messages about Pokhara and Nepal’s tourism sector."

The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) in Pokhara, in collaboration with Gandaki Province and the Nepal Mountaineering Association, organized the Annapurna Day program.

"This visit will help in the publicity and promotion of Nepal's mountain tourism and have a positive impact on the global tourism market, benefiting not only Pokhara but the entire Gandaki Province," Pokharel added. "It is believed that this visit will support the promotion of tourism in Nepal."

According to the Board, India ranks first among the countries from which tourists arrive in Nepal. Following that, a significant number of guests come from the USA, China, the UK, Australia, and Bangladesh.

Dharma Raj Panthi, president of TAAN in Pokhara, stated that the main program for Annapurna Day will be held on June 3. On this special day, a hike will be organized in the Pokhara region with the presence of the Government of Gandaki Province, guests, the mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, representatives from the tourism sector, organizations, and tourism entrepreneurs.

"We began bringing high-ranking officials to Pokhara to convey positive messages about tourism internationally. This will play an additional role in promoting adventure tourism. We are making efforts to further enhance the identity of the Annapurna region," Panthi said.

Pom Narayan Shrestha, from the Pokhara Tourism Council (PTC), emphasized the importance of such activities in attracting tourists to Pokhara and the surrounding areas.

He noted that a single photo or video posted on social media by high-ranking officials can significantly promote tourism. The tourism sector has been bringing high-ranking guests to Pokhara and showing them around even before the sector faced risks.

Annapurna Day marks the first ascent of the Himalayas above 8,000 meters. This day celebrates the achievements of mountaineers and the development of Nepal’s tourism sector, recognizing the pioneering ascent by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal on June 3, 1950.