Kathmandu, June 19 :

Now that Nepal has become popular following the success of the 19-day Jana Andolan, tourism entrepreneurs today pointed out the need to make the most of the achievement and focus on developing the sector.

“Our country has become popular across the world owing to the recent mass movement for democracy. We need to seize the opportunity to promote the country’s tourism sector in the international market,” said Suman Pandey, former president of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN).

The challenge is to revive the country’s tourism sector and win the hearts of tourists, said Shankar Koirala, joint secretary at the Tourism Ministry at an interaction organised by the Journalists in Nepalese Tourism.

He pointed out the need to focus on both quality and quantity of tourist arrivals in the country. Lauding the proposed agreement between India and Nepal on the unlimited number of air seats to be given to the country, he said the agreement once implemented would open avenues for the country’s aviation sector.

Nani Kaji Thapa, vice-president of Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, urged the political leaders and Maoists to stop holding movements and political activities during peak seasons.

Deepak Mahat, former president of TAAN, suggested that a Tourism University be established in Nepal.

Political stability is the only way out of the crisis gripping the tourism sector, he said.