World Tourism Day observed in Nepal

Prime Minister Sushila Karki, has stressed on the need for identifying, promoting and protecting touristic destinations that are off the beaten track to attract visitors. In her message on the occasion of the 46th World Tourism Day on Saturday, Prime Minister Karki, who also takes the charge of Minister for Tourism, highlighted Nepal’s attraction for tourists due to its unique natural beauty, rich biodiversity, diverse cultures, and majestic mountains. “Tourism must be promoted as a key pillar of the national economy. Although the tourism industry faced challenges during the Gen-Z demonstrations for good governance, recovery has already begun,” she said.

The programme, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) with support from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), took place at the NTB Hall in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu on September 27.

In a separate programme oraganised on the same occasion by NuwaKoTT GHAR and Radio Tourism, tourism promotion in and around Lumbini, the birth place of Shakyamuni Gautam Buddha was discussed to attract more Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. Likewise, potential cultural heritages sites in Nuwakot was also discussed on the occasion.

The speakers expressed the view that tourism business should also benefit the common people of Nepal. Tourism entrepreneur Bikram Panday Kajee described the efforts made by NuwaKoTT GHAR and Radio Tourism in the promotion of tourism and in recognizing personalities who made outstanding contributions in the field.

Maheshwar Neupane, former secretary at Ministry of Tourism was honoured for his valuable contribution in the development of tourism in Nepal. He was also provided with a cash prize of Rs. 307,777 on the occasion. Likewise, Mapan Pariyar who composed the lyric and music for the highly popular Nepali song ‘Yo mana ta mero Nepali ho’ was also honoured with a cash prize amounting to Rs. 29,028. Dhammabati Guruma who had consented to be chief guest sent a written message appreciating the efforts and contributions of NuwaKoTT GHAR and Radio Tourism in tourism sector. Likewise, Bhante Nigrodh, former vice chairman of Lumbini Development Trust also spoke shed light on various aspects of promoting Buddhist tourism and promotion of tourism in Nuwakot.