Kathmandu, September 25

Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Maheshwar Neupane today said that Nepal should basically focus on attracting tourists from India and China to boost the country’s tourism industry.

Speaking at a programme organised in the Capital today to mark the 38th World Tourism Day (September 27), Secretary Neupane said that both the government and the private sector should jointly focus on coming up with tourism packages and strategies to entice tourists from India and China, as outbound travellers in both of these countries is increasing.

“It is good news for Nepal’s tourism sector that tourist arrivals is increasing and the total inflow of foreign tourists is expected to cross one million by end of this year,” said Neupane.

The event was organised jointly by Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and different private tourism firms.

Meanwhile, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, vice-president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that the private sector is ready to invest in tourism sector if the government takes the initiative to develop tourism infrastructure in the country.

During the programme, the government also presented awards to different tourism firms and entrepreneurs acknowledging their contribution to the tourism sector of the country.

The government gave the ‘Highest Foreign Currency Award’ to Flight Connection in travel sector and to Himalayan Encounter in the trekking sector. Similarly, Soaltee Crowne Plaza and Nepal Airlines received the awards from hotel and airlines sector, respectively. The government also felicitated Chandragiri Cable Car for its contribution in sustainable tourism development in the country.

On the occasion, Salang of Dhading, Pitlek of Syangja and Kunchhal of Makawanpur were declared as model villages for sustainable tourism in Nepal. These villages are providing homestay services for domestic and international tourists with their unique hospitality.

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