Kathmandu, November 22:

The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement by the government and the Maoists on November 21 has been welcomed by the Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) here.

The organisation views the agreement as the end of an era of extortion and intimidation leading to the erosion of the confidence of international tourists.

NATO claims to have informed more than 4,500 tour operators and international media associations across the world about the peace treaty in Nepal which, it hopes, will boost tourism in the coming months.

“We believe that this is the right time for the government of Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board, associations and the private sector to give due emphasis to tourism and work towards changing the negative perception of international tourists,” said NATO, in a press release issued here today.

NATO also claims to have sent letters to different embassies urging them to review their travel advisories about Nepal.

Meanwhile, releasing the press release, here today Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC), Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) also hail the accord.