New national policy sought to boost tourism in Nepal

Nepali tourist entrepreneurs on Monday demanded the Nepali government to come up with a new national tourism policy, local media reported in Katmandu Tuesday.

"New national tourism policy was sought for the promotion of the tourism industry as tourism is a major currency spinner for Nepal," The Rising Nepal (TRN), a government-run English language national daily, reported.

"They have also called on the government to implement the tourism master plan introduced some 10 years back," the TRN, added.

Speaking at the 12th national convention of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, a non-government tourism organization, tourism entrepreneurs said that business had not been able to make headway in the absence of relevant policies and laws.

The convention was organized at Pokhara city, one of the most important tourist destinations of Nepal, in western Kaski district, some 200 km west of Kathmandu.

The entrepreneurs also complained that the government had not still recognized Pokhara city as a major tourist destinations and had not earmarked any budget for its development, TRN reported.

At least 40 percent of the total tourist visiting Nepal go to Pokhara.

Source: Xinhua