Kathmandu, May 17 The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote the country through the networks of the Nepali diaspora. Along with the signing of this MoU, NRNA through its networks in 75 countries will promote Nepal’s tourism under the banner of ‘Atithi Dewo Bhava’, which means ‘The guest is equivalent to God’ in Sanskrit. NTB will facilitate the NRNA in launching the campaign in various countries. NRNA Tourism Promotion Committee Chair Bhaban Bhatta and NTB CEO Deepak Raj Joshi inked the pact today in the presence of Tourism Minister Ananda Prasad Pokharel. NRNA has said that it will appoint its National Coordination Committee (NCC) chairs as goodwill ambassador for the ‘Atithi Dewo Bhava’ campaign in various countries. The NCC chairs will work together with the diplomatic missions of Nepal, where missions have been established. NRNA will focus in bringing greater numbers of high-end tourists into the country. Addressing the MoU signing programme, Tourism Minister Pokharel expressed hope that Nepal’s tourism sector will reach a new height in the future through the efforts of NRNA, which has a wide network abroad. As the tourism sector is considered to be the lifeline of the country’s economy, the effort of the diaspora community could provide an impetus for the rapid and sustainable expansion of this sector, he said. He further highlighted that the government also needs to focus on tourism-related infrastructure development to encourage tourists to extend their stay in Nepal. “Nepal’s geographic location could be beneficial in rapid expansion of this sector if the country properly promotes its pilgrim tourism.”