Kathmandu, February 15:

Travel and trade people have complained that the travel advisories issued by various countries in recent times have hit the Nepali tourism industry hard.

According to a press release issued here by Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) today, NATO has urged to review the system of issuing travel advisories as a means of economic diplomacy.

“NATO thoroughly understands the responsibility of various governments to protect interests of their nationals and to look after the well being of their taxpayers travelling abroad. However, at the same time we also like to point out the severe economic troubles faced by Nepal currently. Approximately 7,50,000 Nepalis are dependent on the tourism industry alone,” states the release.

“In many parts of the country, tourism has served as the only source of income for the people for their survival. The tourism industry facilitates the exchange of ideas among people and helps bridge the perceived gaps between various cultures and religions,” claimed NATO.

Even though leaders and statesmen including US president George W Bush and British prime minister Tony Blair has repeatedly claimed that ending global poverty is one of the major goals of the 21st century, the only means of livelihood of the most of the rural Nepali populace is directly hurt by such travel advisories. “Those who are dependent on the tourism industry to sustain themselves on a daily basis cannot see how the global poverty reduction would benefit from such advisories.” NATO requests all the friendly governments to review the current trend.