With the aim at boosting Nepal’s flailing image in the international tourism and travel sector and increasing the number of tourists to Annapurna Conservation Area, Destination Manang 2010 was announced amidst a function on Thursday.

The programme would showcase Manang as a unique destination for both international tourists and domestic tourists for the benefit of the local people as well as the government.

Speaking at a function, organized by Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association of Manang, Baburam Bhandari, Under Secretary at the Ministry for Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that the tourism sector is becoming an increasingly important economic source for the local people.

The campaign seeks to explore ways to ensure sustainable growth of tourism in Manang district, he added.

Bhandari assured that the government is ready to do the needful to help develop the tourism sector.

Bikram Neupane, President of Himalayan Rescue Association, said that Manang has always been an important point for tourists visiting popular Annapurna Trekking Route.

It boasts of spectacular mountain scenery, vibrant colors of nature, wild flowers and herbs, tranquil lakes and plenty of adventure opportunities, he informed.

Neupane said that during the Destination Manang 2010, special packages like snow leopard watch, religious pujas and other cultural packages would be offered to the visitors.

He added that this campaign would also help promote the Visit Nepal 2011.

Binod Gurung, the president of Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association of Manang, said that the main aim of organising the campaign is to promote sustainable tourism as well as helping Manang to create its own identity as a travel destination.

He said that with this campaign, the Manang’s natural, cultural and religious resources such as Tilicho Lake, Milarepa’s Cave as well as Manang’s wealth of monasteries will be showcased to the domestic as well as foreign tourists.