KATHMANDU, Dec 30: Bandipur Rural Municipality in Tanahun has officially declared 2025 as the ‘Bandipur Visit Year’, with a target of attracting 200,000 tourists annually. The initiative is aimed at promoting tourism, boosting local economic activities, and highlighting Bandipur as a key destination for both domestic and international visitors.
Surendra Bahadur Thapa, Chairman of Bandipur Rural Municipality, said that the visit year was declared to enhance the region’s tourism infrastructure and bring significant economic benefits by increasing the number of tourists. “Our goal is to increase the annual number of tourists to 200,000,” he said, “We will organize a variety of events and programs throughout the year to encourage both Nepali and foreign tourists to visit.”
The Originality of Bandipur
The municipality has formed a 21-member secretariat under the coordination of tourism entrepreneur Baish Gurung to oversee the success of the campaign. The secretariat includes representatives from various local organizations, including the Hotel Association, Restaurant and Bar Association (REBAN), the Tourism Development Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Homestay Federation.
According to Gurung, the plan is to attract 100,000 domestic tourists and 100,000 foreign tourists to Bandipur during the visit year. “We aim to bring in tourists from both within Nepal and abroad, ensuring they stay for an average of three days,” Gurung said, “We expect foreign tourists to spend around 75 US dollars per day, while Nepali tourists are expected to spend around 3,000 rupees daily.”
Bandipur, a picturesque hilltop town known for its natural beauty and preserved cultural heritage, currently has 120 hotels and 12 homestays, with a capacity to accommodate up to 1,700 people daily. The rural municipality has projected that the success of the visit year campaign will require an estimated investment of Rs 44.35 million, which will be used for promotional activities, infrastructure improvements, and organizing events aimed at attracting tourists.
The Bandipur Visit Year 2025 is expected to revitalize the local economy, increase employment in the tourism sector, and make Bandipur a more prominent name on the international tourist map.
