BIRATNAGAR: Koshi Province is officially launching its Tourism Year today with the ambitious goal of drawing one million tourists by 2082 BS.

The inaugural ceremony is being held at RR Garden in the scenic Tinjure Milke Jaljale area, where Terhathum, Sankhuwasabha, and Taplejung districts converge. The initiative also aims to generate 2,000 new jobs in the tourism sector.

Although Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was initially slated to inaugurate the event, Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh will now do the honors.

Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki said the campaign is part of a strategic push to establish Koshi Province as a prominent tourism destination. “Tourism can be a cornerstone of economic growth. We are treating 2082 as a foundation year for long-term development in this sector,” he said.

He also highlighted plans to promote the province’s attractions both domestically and internationally, along with branding local products to increase their visibility.

To support the campaign, the provincial government has formed a 500-member main organizing committee under the leadership of the Chief Minister. A steering committee led by Minister for Forests, Tourism, and Environment Sadananda Mandal has also been established, with Bhabish Shrestha and Krishna Sah serving as co-coordinators. The campaign slogan is “82 Destinations of ’82.”

Koshi Province currently hosts an estimated 60,000 to 65,000 international tourists each year—roughly five percent of total arrivals. Of these, 93 percent head to the Khumbu region. Meanwhile, around 500,000 tourists from India and other nearby countries visit annually.

To improve infrastructure, four major trekking routes are being developed: Mundhum, Laligurans, Falgunanda, and Chiabari. Funded in partnership with the Swiss government, the Rs 2.35 billion project spans 29 municipalities and is expected to be completed by 2085 BS. These trails are anticipated to significantly boost the province’s tourism appeal.