London: For the first time ever, an international hot air balloon festival will be held in Pokhara. Organized by Balloon Nepal, which has been operating hot air balloon rides in Pokhara for the past six years, the festival is set to take place in the last week of December.

At a special event in London, representatives from Balloon Nepal and event coordinator Charismatic Events shared details about the festival with members of the Nepali community. The festival will start on December 24 and conclude on January 1, coinciding with New Year’s Day.

Suresh Tandukar, the head of Charismatic Entertainment and the festival’s main organizer, stated that extensive preparations are underway to ensure the event’s success. The festival is expected to attract over 150,000 attendees from more than 20 countries. Covering an area of around 500 ropanis, it will feature over 30 hot air balloons, with skilled and experienced pilots being brought in from the UK, Spain, and other European countries.

Safety measures have been prioritized, and $20,000 insurance coverage will be provided for each passenger, according to Tandukar. The festival will also host over 100 stalls offering food, trade opportunities, and various sports activities. Additionally, more than 20 renowned national artists will perform to entertain the crowd.

The festival’s brand ambassadors are actor Rajesh Hamal and actress Priyanka Karki, with Chinese company BYD serving as the main sponsor.

Deepak Shrestha, the co-founder of Balloon Nepal, emphasized that the festival’s primary goal is to promote tourism in Nepal. He expressed confidence that the event will help establish Pokhara as a premier destination for adventure tourism, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

Highlighting the safety record of hot air balloon operations, Shrestha assured everyone that the rides have been entirely secure since their introduction six years ago. He encouraged people to participate and enjoy the breathtaking experience, noting, “We give top priority to the safety of passengers and pilots, adhering to all regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority. From a height of 9,000 feet, one can witness stunning views of the Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare, and Phewa Lake, making for an unforgettable experience.”

He also mentioned that the festival is being organized with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Province Government, NRN Association, and the Pokhara Metropolitan City. He called for everyone’s cooperation to make the festival a success.

At the London event, various community leaders and representatives, including Mayor Jeet Ranabhat of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, former NRNA ICC president Kul Acharya, former BNCC president Rajan Kandel, senior BNCC vice president and travel entrepreneur Biraj Bhatt, businessman Yadav Bhandari, senior journalist Bhagirath Yogi, and former chair of the Federation of Nepali Journalists UK Dhruvaraj Aryal, extended their best wishes for the festival’s success. They also emphasized the importance of robust safety arrangements to ensure the festival’s effectiveness and appeal to tourists.

Balloon Nepal is led by its founder and chairman, Bikram Bande, with Deepak Shrestha as co-founder and director, and Sabin Maharjan, Bishnu Dhakal, and Robert Bishwakarma serving as directors.