Source::Rss
Nepal's Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister, Sudan Kirati, announced that the procurement process for aircraft for Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is in its final stages. Speaking at an event held at Patan Durbar Square on the occasion of the 44th World Tourism Day, Minister Kirati emphasized the decision to expand NAC's fleet to boost tourist arrivals in the country.
During his address, the Civil Aviation Minister pledged full transparency and a commitment to preventing irregularities in the aircraft procurement process. The NAC is planning to acquire three Twin Otter aircraft for domestic services, in addition to its existing two Twin Otters for domestic flights and two wide-body and two narrow-body aircraft for international routes.
Minister Kirati also highlighted the need for revising development policies to make them more culture- and nature-friendly. He stated, "Nepal has immense potential to become one of the world's most enchanting tourist destinations due to its natural beauty, diverse geography, mountain ranges, culture, and civilization." He urged the revision of tourism laws and acts to create an environment conducive to realizing this potential.
The minister expressed optimism about Nepal's tourism industry's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and anticipated a rise in tourist arrivals. He encouraged tourists to extend their stays in Nepal by experiencing its rich culture, stunning natural landscapes, and adventurous opportunities.
Manjali Shakya Bajracharya, Deputy Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolis, proposed the promotion of culture, heritage, and tourism in parallel, aiming for economic prosperity through eco-friendly tourism development.
Chandra Prasad Rijal, Vice-Chair of the Nepal Tourism Board, stressed the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships in the tourism industry.
The event also recognized various organizations, mountaineers, and individuals for their contributions to the tourism sector. A map highlighting tourist areas within Lalitpur Metropolis was unveiled by Minister Kirati.
World Tourism Day was celebrated under the theme "Tourism and Green Investment," with organizations such as Seven Summit Treks, Sita World Travel Pvt Ltd, Everest Hospitality and Hotel and Resort, Pokhara Astra, NAC, Lumbini's Green Resort, and Nawalparasi-based Amaltari Homestay receiving awards. Norwegian climbers Kristin Harila and Lama Tenjen Sherpa, who made mountaineering history by climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in 92 days, were also honored during the event._Rss
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