The "One Nepali, One Foreign Friend Campaign" is a creative and groundbreaking approach that's part of the larger "Nepal Tourism Decade (2023-2033)" strategy. This campaign aims to utilize the personal relationships of Nepali citizens for the benefit of the nation's tourism industry.
The concept of the campaign is clear and efficient. Every Nepali, whether in Nepal or overseas, is urged to invite a foreign friend to visit the country. This kind of invitation not only boosts tourism but also offers foreign guests the chance to explore Nepal's abundant cultural history, breathtaking natural wonders, and gracious hospitality through a more intimate and genuine perspective.
Led by the Non-Resident Nepali Association, an international organization for Nepali individuals and communities residing outside Nepal, this campaign is bound to reach even further. The association enables access to an expansive Nepali diaspora around the world.
This effort is part of the government's wider push to restore the tourism sector, which has been significantly damaged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The involvement of every Nepali citizen in this campaign aims to generate a domino effect that could greatly increase tourist visits to the country.
Moreover, plans are underway to establish night tourism in Kathmandu Valley and organize night heritage excursions in Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur. In addition, many mountains with altitudes between 5,800 meters and 8,000 meters are expected to open for climbing within half a year.
The "One Nepali, One Foreign Friend Campaign" goes beyond simple tourism promotion. It showcases the essence of Nepali hospitality and emphasizes Nepal's enthusiasm for sharing its cultural wealth and natural splendor with people all around the world. By participating in this campaign, each Nepali becomes a representative of their homeland while inviting people everywhere to discover and appreciate all that Nepal has to offer.
Nepal has been working diligently to promote tourism. In a notable example, the British ambassador to Nepal was pictured on a path within the Annapurna trekking circuit in mid-2015, holding a sign that read: "I am in Nepal Now." This initiative aimed to reinvigorate tourism, which is a significant source of foreign exchange earnings.