US Department of State Cancels Travel Warning for Nepal
Kathmandu: The United States has lifted its nearly year old travel advisory against visiting Nepal, citing improved overall conditions in the country, in what is expected to boost tourism in the Himalayan heartland.
In view of the improved conditions in Nepal, the US Department of State has cancelled the Travel Warning issued on January 12, 2011, a press release issued by the US Embassy here said.
The US Embassy is pleased that the overall situation in Nepal has improved to such a degree that this decision could be made, read the statement.
The US is one of the third major tourism generating countries for Nepal after India and China and the move to withdraw the travel advisory is expected to help boost the tourism sector in the country.
Over 35,000 US citizens arrived in Nepal by air between January 2011 and November 2011, which is seven per cent of the total tourist arrival during the period.
“Embassy Kathmandu, in consultation with relevant offices at the Department of State, believes country conditions have changed considerably over the past year,” said the State Department in Washington.
“Incidents of political violence and the threat to US citizens have significantly decreased and the political situation is stabilising,” it said.
US ambassador in Nepal Scott H. DeLisi writes n Facebook :” Great news – with all the progress in Nepal, we have been able to lift the State Department travel warning that has been in place for so long. A positive step for Nepal.”
