KATHMANDU: Nepal Tourism Year 2011 programme implementation committee today urged all parties' youth wings to introduce discipline and create awareness about tourism.

Speaking on the occasion, youth leader and Nepali Congress CA member Gagan Thapa expressed support and coordination of his party's youth wing for the success of NTY 2011. According to Thapa, youth mobilization in tourism sector can create better opportunities and boost the tourism sector as a whole.

NTY programme implementation committee national coordinator Yogendra Shakya urged youths to bring awareness to society. "All parties' young members should unite for tourism and re-introduce the tourism sector to society," said Shakya. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) chief executive officer Prachanda Man Shrestha called for mobilization of international media for tourism promotion. Shrestha also asked for giving equal priority to the Tarai region and boost domestic tourism. " The main elements of NTY 2011 are re-orientation and capacity build-up," said Shrestha adding that although Nepal lacks proper infrastructure still it has its own tourist attractions. "The private sector should come up with investment plans and projects that can help infrastructure build-up," said Shakya.

The launch of NTY 2011 is on February 26 at Tundikhel. A peace torch will be brought from Lumbini to Kathmandu and the NTY 2011 secretariat head will pass the torch to a high-profile personality.