The study had found that Nepal was a safe place to visit

Pokhara, July 28

Western Regional Hotel Association Pokhara today welcomed the report of Miyamoto International and urged tourists to visit Annapurna area.

Miyamoto International, which was permitted by Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to study the situation in Annapurna area, had submitted a report to the government saying that it was safe for visiting. The report was made public at a function in Kathmandu.

Bharat Raj Parajuli, chairman of Western Regional Hotel Association, Pokhara, said the report had elated tourism entrepreneurs in the region. With the report, the government has announced that Annapurna is safe and secure for trekking after the April 25 earthquake.

Dr Kit Miyamoto, CEO of Miyamoto International, said the organisation had conducted study of 31 villages and covered a 221-kilometre-area with as many as 30 bridges that fall in the area and declared the area safe.

Earlier, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kripasur Sherpa had said that the government authorised Miyamoto to study the area as it would send out a positive message to foreign tourists.

The trekking route beginning from Lamjung headquarters Besisahar passes through Manang, Mustang, Myagdi and ends in Nayapul of Kaski.