Kathmandu, October 16

Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has said it expects the recent state visit of the Chinese president to play a significant role in increasing the flow of Chinese tourists into the country.

Issuing a press statement today, TAAN has said that it welcomes the bilateral agreements signed between Nepal and China on various development projects and economic cooperation, including Belt and Road Initiative and tourism cooperation.

“TAAN appreciates the remark made by President Xi Jinping about supporting Nepal in promoting Visit Nepal Year 2020 Campaign,” reads the statement.

During the two-day state visit, the Chinese government had committed to support Nepal to participate in the travel marts held in China and said it is willing to facilitate Nepal’s promotional activities in China. The Chinese government has also committed to organise the ‘Ninth China Festival’ and the ‘Fourth Kathmandu Cultural Forum’ in Nepal.

“The commitment of the Chinese government will positively impact the development of country’s tourism sector,” said Khum Bahadur Subedi, president of TAAN.

As China is second largest tourism market for Nepal, the recent visit of President Xi will encourage more Chinese tourists to travel to Nepal, he added. According to him, almost 70 per cent of Chinese tourists visit Nepal for trekking, hiking and other adventurous activities. Since most of them come for trekking, the average length of stay of Chinese tourists is also comparatively longer than tourists coming from other countries.

“Trekking entrepreneurs believe that this new chapter in Nepal-China cooperation will contribute in generating jobs, improving livelihoods and promoting Nepal as a top tourist destination for Chinese and international tourists,” he added.

According to the Department of Immigration, a total of 153,602 Chinese tourists visited Nepal in 2018, while the country has received 106,050 visitors from China in the first eight months of this year.