KATHMANDU: The promo team of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) has returned from

from a tour of China and Hong Kong. NATTA showcased Nepal’s exotic and unparalleled tourism products — including the upcoming events like NATTA Himalayan International

Travel Mart and UFTAA

Congress that will be organised in November this year

in Kathmandu.

A 35-member NATTA delegation — in support of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) —

visited Chinese cities of Shanghai and Beijing and interacted with more than 70 Chinese tour operators and travel agents.

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) Sharat Singh Bhandari also took part in the promotional tour. During the visit, he emphasised on Nepal-China relations and on China’s support for Nepal’s development. Bhandari urged the Chinese tour operators to sell tour packages to Nepal as the problem of air accessibility has already been overcome.

During the Nepal-China Sales Mission — organized in Hong Kong — NATTA president Ram Kaji Koney informed tour operators there of Nepal’s exotic appeal.

Tibet fair ends

KATHMANDU: Nepal has benefited from the remarkable development of neighbouring China’s Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), especially in the tourism sector. “Thousands of tourists go to Tibet every year through Nepal, where easy and convenient transportation link across the border facilitates their travel,” said Rajendra Nakarmi, general secretary of Nepal-China Executive Council (NCEC). Nepal can take advantage from the passers-by by making them stay longer in the country, he said. “Many Nepalis have also got jobs in Tibet thanks to the booming tourism industry. Whether it is a hotel, travel agency, restaurant or a consultancy, Nepalis have done a good job both for their living and for tourism in Tibet,” he said. “Thanks to fast development of Tibet, without destroying cultural and religious values, it has become the best example of modernisation,” Nakarmi said adding that Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple are examples of preservation. — Agencies