Kathmandu, September 24:

The 28th World Tourism Day is going to be celebrated in the country on September 27 with the slogan “Tourism Opens Doors for Women”.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and other organisations will hold events, interactions, and other programmes to mark the Day.

Issuing a press release today, the Ministry said it had planned a number of cultural events including the 250th rath yatra (chariot procession) of Goddess Kumari, free mountain flight tickets for any four tourists coming via first international flight, welcoming of tourists at the airport, placement of banners at arrival section and information centres and award distributions.

At a press meet organised at NTB today, Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Secretary at the ministry, said: “The events will be organised to give continuity to our practice of observing the World Tourism Day.”

He said this year’s slogan was issued with an objective to encourage women’s participation in tourism industry.

The aim is to highlight women’s contribution in tourism sector as Nepali women’s participation in tourism has been comparatively higher than other sectors. The NTB, however, was unable to provide exact data in this regard.

Subash Niraula, the acting executive director of NTB, told the conference that it is important to seek “income generating capacity for women, which will increase their involvement in this sector.”

In this regard, the government is also organising an interaction programme in Pokhara on September 27 to sensitise the public on women’s role in tourism, Bodhraj Niraula, Joint-secretary of the Ministry said.

Joint-secretary Niraula added that the Tourism Policy Paper would be ready this year and the Tourism Master Plan is in the completion phase.

The government is also likely to meet Non-Resident Nepalis to explore possible joint venture to promote tourism. In addition, the government is also working on a ‘new package’ to promote Nepal as a ‘destination for all seasons.’