I would like to take my time to address the successful conclusion of the Diplomatic Retreat Program that Suryodaya Municipality had the distinct honor of hosting from from the 13th to 15th April organised through the collaborative efforts of the Nepal Tourism Board and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the guidance of Hon. Foreign Minster Arzu Rana Deuba.
As per the available schedule of program constructed by the welcoming committee we, the Municipality family welcomed twelve distinguished Ambassadors and Charge d’Affaires, along with their spouses, representing the nations of Egypt, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Thailand, Australia, France, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Sri-Lanka, and Bangladesh and the representatives from the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
During the program, the organising committee led by the deputy mayor Mr. Durga Kumar Baral made sure the delegates were provided with an immersive experience of the natural beauty, lifestyle, and rich diverse cultural heritage of Ilam which included explorations of the Tea Gardens of Kanyam and Shree Antu, where the dignitaries actively participated in tea plucking activity, gaining firsthand insight into our esteemed tea culture. They also witnessed the spectacular sunrise from Shree Antu and enjoyed recreational pursuits such as boating at the picturesque Antu Pokhari.
Fig: Images of Honorable Ambassadors engaging in the horseback riding and Tea Plucking activity during Diplomatic Retreat Program 2081
A significant aspect of the program was a tea-tasting event, organized by the Suryodaya Tea Producers Association and the National Tea and Coffee Development Board held in Kanyam which showcased the sixteen distinct varieties of teas cultivated and produced in Suryodaya Municipality. with the aim of promoting Nepal’s diverse tea offerings in the international market.
During this tea-tasting event, our guests were introduced to various types of teas some of them being Black Tea, Orthodox Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Silver Tea, and Golden Tea, with detailed explanations provided on their unique characteristics.
Additionally, the delegates had the opportunity to sample local dairy products, cheese, and cardamom-infused items.
Looking back the feedback that the municipality received from the Honorable Ambassadors has been overwhelmingly positive with several of the dignitaries expressing their admiration for the scenic beauty of the Municipality, with some noting that Suryodaya Municipality possesses significant potential as a tourism destination. Notably, the admiration from the British Ambassador and Australian Ambassador expressing a strong interest regarding the support for the promotion of the variants of our organic tea to the global tea market would mean a lot for Suryodaya Municipality. The Honorable Foreign Minister also articulated plans to promote Ilam’s tea at the Sagarmatha Dialogue and engage in substantive discussions with various ambassadors on this matter.
So, what is the thing that is good for us the Municpality after hosting this substantial program well a lot, Diplomatic Retreat Program 2081 served us with a crucial opportunity to present ourselves and showcase the tourism potential of our local level and the eastern province, aligning with the ongoing Visit Koshi Year 2082 and the Nepal Tourism Board’s (NTB) objective of fostering inclusive and regionally balanced tourism development. By directly engaging with the diplomatic corps through this event, It is safe to say that we’ve been successful to broaden our tourism outreach and present ourselves to the global community to experience the unique offerings of our municipality and the wider region.
And regarding the tea leaves that were personally plucked by the Ambassadors during the tea plucking activity in Shree Antu, those handpicked tea would be processed and presented to the dignitaries as part of a souvenir, a tangible reminder of their experience in Ilam.
The Honourable Foreign Minister, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, underscored the pivotal role of tourism in Nepal’s development and prosperity. She lauded Ilam as a region characterised by its expansive tea gardens, mist-covered hills, and the hospitality of its people. She further encouraged the attending diplomats to become “ambassadors of Nepali tourism” and highlighted the considerable potential for foreign investment in Nepal’s tourism and infrastructure sectors.
Such a massive success of this program is the testament to the efforts of numerous stakeholders. I would like to extend my sincerest of appreciation to the all of the collaborating organizations, tea entrepreneurs, the media partners, security personells, proprietors of hotels, homestays, and restaurants, all of the dedicated staff of the municipality and most importantly, the residents of Suryodaya, particularly our diligent municipal police who worked tirelessly throughout this event.
Most importantly I would like to convey my profound gratitude to the Honourable Foreign Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Protocol Chief, and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Nepal Tourism Board, for their invaluable support, collaboration and assistance.
This Diplomatic Retreat represents a significant milestone for Suryodaya Municipality. It has provided a platform to highlight our unique attractions on an international stage, fostering goodwill and opening potential avenues for future collaborations and investments. Let us collectively endeavour to build upon this success and work towards a prosperous future for our beloved municipality through the continued promotion of our tourism sector.