Kathmandu: The tourism capital of Nepal is set to welcome its first-ever International Balloon Festival from December 24, 2024, to January 1, 2025. Organized by Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd., the event will coincide with Christmas and New Year celebrations, adding a festive atmosphere to the city.
Bishnu Bhakta Dhakal, Director of Balloon Nepal, highlighted the festival’s potential to enhance Pokhara’s reputation as an adventure tourism destination. “Rich in natural resources, Pokhara has been emerging as a hub for adventure tourism,” he noted. The festival aims to further support this vision.
Spanning a three-kilometer area from Lauruk to Chankhpur in Pokhara’s Pame region, the festival will feature approximately 30 professional balloon companies from Nepal and around the world. Organizers expect over 500 professional and 300 non-commercial balloon flights during the week-long event.
In addition to balloon flights, the festival will include mini balloon shows, cultural performances by national and local artists, food stalls, and various entertainment activities. The event is projected to boost both domestic and international tourism, particularly in the post-pandemic recovery phase, benefiting local businesses, including hotels and restaurants.
Bikram Bade, Chairman of Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd., shared that preparations are well underway. “The festival aims to develop adventure tourism in Pokhara, increase tourist numbers, and revitalize the tourism sector,” he said. Bade expressed confidence that the event will attract more visitors, thereby rejuvenating Nepal’s tourism industry following the pandemic.