Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 1:

At a time when low tourists arrival has hit the Nepali tourism industry due to negative publicity in the international media, visiting tourists and journalists from the USA and Canada — who had recently visited various trekking routes including Kathmandu valley and Everest Base Camp — have termed Nepal a ‘safe tourist destination.’

At an interaction programme organised by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and PATA Nepal Chapter before their departure here today, Canadian and US tourists, categorically said that Nepali trekking areas were ‘completely safe’ for trekking. “However, before visiting Nepal, they were all worried (due to press reports),” they recalled.

Albert Reichert, team leader of a ten-member journalist and tourists group, said that security situation in trekking areas including Everest Base Camp is quite good. He said that before visiting Nepal they were scared because of some of the press reports. Robert Sallis informed that Nepal is one of the best and beautiful countries in the world. He said that they had a wonderful visit and enjoyed it a lot. “We would share our experiences after going back with our friends and media,” he added.

Tek Bahadur Dangi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Nepal is the best place for adventure tourism. In 1999, a total of 41000 tourists from USA travelled Nepal but the number in the year 2004 had gone down to 17,000 while the number of tourists visiting Nepal was only 16675 in 2003. “Negative publicity has affected our tourism industry,” tourism experts said.

Dangi reiterated that Nepal has always been the best tourist destination despite some domestic problems. “However, no tourist has been hurt so far,” he said.

Tourism has been one of the major sectors for employment and income generations in Nepal. Prabin Pandey, president, PATA Nep-al Chapter, said that tourists visiting Nepal are safe.