KATHMANDU: The Chinese government has declared the year 2017 as Nepal Tourism Promotion Year in China. This initiative has received a very positive response from the tourism sector in Nepal as China is the second  largest source of foreign tourists to Nepal and more than 100 thousands Chinese tourists visit Nepal annually. It is evident that Nepal has huge possibilities in the tourism sector and China’s investment in the tourism field would elevate Nepali tourism to greater height.  Over the years, both countries have been conducting joint programmes to increase the investment of Chinese enterprise in Nepali tourism.

In order to increase the inflow of Chinese tourists, the Government of Nepal waived visa fees for the Chinese tourist effective from 1 January 2016. Depak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) shares, “For Nepal Tourism Promotion Year, we are conducting exchange programs among tourism entrepreneurs and experts of Nepal and China. Furthermore, China’s investment in the infrastructures will have a significant impact on the growth of the Nepali tourism. We are hopeful that the tourism sector in Nepal will receive more support from Chinese side.

“ Meanwhile, the Vice-Premier also attended the opening ceremony of the nine-storied Basantapur Durbar Restoration Project under the Chinese assistance. Citing that China’s involvement in restoring earthquake affected structures will also alleviate Nepali tourism, Joshi shares, “China’s assistance in the reconstruction of earthquake affected cultural heritage will further boost the inflow of tourists as Nepal is still trying to erase the negative imprints left by the earthquake.”