Pokhara, April 20

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari today said his ministry was working to bring in 1.5 million tourists during the Tourist Visit Year 2020.

Inaugurating the sixth District Convention of Lions Club 325 in Pokhara, Minister Adhikari said that his ministry was working to operate Tribhuvan International Airport 21 hours a day. He expressed confidence that this would allow operation of more flights and help lessen air traffic to some extent. Adhikari informed that TIA had resumed its flight from 11:30am today. The airport remained closed from 10:00pm yesterday night after Malaysian airline Malindo skidded off the runway.

Stating that tourism could play a crucial role in development of the country, Adhikari said his ministry was working seriously to attract more than 1.5 million tourists inside the country. He argued that development of industries, tourism and hydropower alone could usher in change and transformation in the country in a real sense.