Kathmandu, July 14:

Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat today said that the number of tourist arrivals in the country would increase five-fold if political stability and sustainable peace were restored in the country.

“We have still not effectively marketted Nepal that has diversities in environment and natural attractions no other country has,” he said, inaugurating the 13th and 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC) here.

Dr Mahat said that Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) had not been able to provide reliable services because of increasing politicisation. He also clarified that the government had not refused to either buy or lease aircraft. “But the problem is not aircraft, its management that is politicised,” he blamed.

He said that as Kathmandu has much diversity including adventure, cultural, and seasonal it would be a good idea to develop it as the tourism capital of South Asia. “And Thamel will be the tourism capital of Kathmandu,” he added.

On the occasion, he also gave away Letters of Recognition to various organisations and personalities contributing to the council.

Similarly, Metropolitan Police chief Hem Bahadur Gurung said good security had been arranged for the promotion of tourism in Thamel area.

Nepal Chamber of Commerce president Surendra Bir Malakar said anarchy and untoward activities like strikes and bandhs had left a negative impact on the tourism sector and that the government ought to pay attention to providing security to entrepreneurs.