Kathmandu, September 9:

Indian ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shanker Mukherjee while talking with a delegation from Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) today, has informed that discussion is underway with the Nepali government to set up a Tourism Information Centre (TIC) in India to boost trade in tourism.

According to a press statement issued by HAN today, the decision to set up TIC was taken as per the decision in BIMST-EC Round Table meeting. Similarly, development of border infrastructure in Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Jogbani, Raxaul, and Kakarvitta are also being discussed bilaterally, said the statement. The issues of land customs station at Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Jogbani, Raxaul and renewal of air service agreement are also being raised for the betterment of tourism between the two countries, said HAN.

Mukherjee assured the delegation that tourism is life and blood of the economic development of the country. Therefore, he added, the Indian government will be cooperative to boost potential projects to promote tourism between the two countries. Indian tourists occupy 33 per cent of the total number of tourists visiting Nepal every year. However, the number of Indian tourists over the past four years has gone down. Hotel industry in Nepal wants more Indian airlines to fly to Kathmandu, including to other major towns like Bhairahawa, Pokhara and Biratnagar.