Nepal to promote major religious sites through pilgrimage diplomacy

The government plans to promote Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Janakpurdham, and Muktinath through spiritual pilgrimage diplomacy. President Ram Chandra Poudel presented the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year at a joint session of Parliament on Monday, highlighting the promotion of Nepal’s major religious sites through pilgrimage diplomacy.

The policy and program also prioritize developing Nepal as an emerging destination for religious, cultural, wellness, study, film, spiritual, and retirement tourism. Efforts will be made to link community-run homestays, local arts, culture, and traditions with tourism to boost employment and income for marginalized and Dalit communities.

The concept of a living museum will be implemented, with at least five thousand new homestays to be branded under ‘Nepal Homestay’ and connected to booking platforms, as stated in the policy and program.