“What do Chinese tourists want?” (THT, Perspectives, July 10, Page 1). Even tourism honchos, including a China expert, featured in the story seem to know what they want.

Going by the story photo, it is, however, easy to conclude what Chinese tourists do not want: dust, smoke and putrid smell. One of the two Chinese ladies in the picture is tightly masked to keep away Nepal’s omnipresent foreign particles and smell in the air.

The lady behind her is tightly holding a towel to her face, while the one in front, who is clearly a tour escort and probably used to our dust, smoke and smell, is walking nonchalantly without any protection.

So, what do the Chinese tourists want? “The tourism industry of Nepal has a vague idea of what Chinese tourists want in Nepal and what we have on offer for them”, adds an expert who seems to be a seasoned hand.

So, how is Nepal going to woo Chinese tourists if it has only a vague idea, meaning no idea, as to what they want? Nepali traders seem to be out of focus; instead of concentrating on ways and means to bring Chinese tourists, they are sore at the Chinese investing in hotels and other business in Thamel and Pokhara and bringing in Chinese tourists into the country.

They probably do not realise that massive foreign direct investment is good for the country for employment and revenue, if not for competition.

Amidst all these din and conflicting noisy views and observations, one comes up with an accurate observation: ‘Chinese economy is slowing’ and it could have a telling effect on Nepali hospitality and tourism industry.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Infanticide

This refers to your thought-provoking editorial “Females infanticide” (THT, July 11, Page 8).

It is an irony that female deities are worshiped and women in general often subjugated. It reveals the fact that a healthy male-female ratio is a social need. It is shocking to learn that the educated and affluent resort to sex-selective abortions in larger numbers.

The issue here is not just about mere numbers but human values. It is reported that one of the root causes for the evil practice of female foeticide is the dowry system.

In spite of attempts made by the media and the government to highlight the negative impact of pre-natal sex identification and selective abortion, the practice continues as reflected in the declining sex ratio.

One wonders why, even after the alarming decline in child sex ratio, no political parties have initiated any programmes to save girl foetus. The inability of the education system in doing away with the marked preference for a male child is sad.

It is to be kept in mind that women are equally competitive in all spheres.

All talk about woman empowerment will be rendered hollow if girls are killed even before entering the world. Only monetary incentives and social benefits will make a girl child an asset to the family.

Vinod C. Dixit, Ahmedabad