‘Silk Road tourism benefits Nepal, China and the world ‘

By Ramesh Tiwari / TravelBizNews —

Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Dil Nath Giri said that Silk Road tourism cooperation between Nepal and China could boost bilateral relations and people-to-people friendship between the two countries.

Addressing an interaction on “Silk Road Tourism between China and Nepal “, organized by China National Tourist Office (CNTO) and Nepal- China Chamber of Commerce and Industry , the minister urged all the concerned to find ways to attract more tourists from China to Nepal .

The Minister highly evaluated modernization and economic transformation of China in recent decades, and stressed on strengthening multilateral cooperation with China for economic development of Nepal.

“Nepal is committed to One China policy ‘, he said.

On the occasion, Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to Nepal Yu Hong  hoped that Chinese tourists arrival will increase in future , being Nepal one of the major destination for outbound tourists in China.

‘China is second largest tourism source market for Nepal. As Chinese tourists visit Nepal to explore natural beauty, culture and hospitality, we need more promotional activities to lure visitors in both the countries. China is one of the top tourist destinations in the world and visit to China is beyond imagination,’ she added.

The Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong said that the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation scheduled for May 14 would herald new prospects for development of Silk Road tourism in the world.

China has invested more than 50 billion dollars in countries involved in the Belt and Road since 2013. A total of 56 economic and trade cooperation zones have already been built by Chinese businesses in Belt and Road countries, generating nearly 1.1 billion dollars in tax revenue and creating 180,000 local jobs according to a report of Ministry of Commerce (MOC) , China.

Director of China National Tourist Office (CNTO), Kathmandu Ms .Yang Tsom noted that China has launched a global tourism promotion campaign this year under the theme of “Beautiful China – 2017 Year of Silk Road Tourism”.

China is celebrating “Year of Silk Road Tourism,” since the last three years to attract more tourists from different parts of the world.

“China’s inbound and outbound tourism market is expected to rise with the implementation of “One Belt and One Road” strategy in the coming years. Silk Road tourism will contribute to strengthen tourism and connectivity between China and Nepal,” Yang Tsom added.

Director Yang Tsom noted that China National Tourist Office (CNTO), being one of 20 overseas tourist offices of CNTA around the world, has been promoting tourism cooperation in Nepal through various activities. The development of Silk Road tourism will greatly contribute travel and tourism all over the world including Nepal and other South Asian countries.

Likewise , Chairman of  Nepal- China Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( NCCCI) Rajesh Kazi Shrestha suggested to develop necessary tourism infrastructure , provide quality services  , open Tatopani border post and and develop Rasuwagadhi route to connect to South Asian countries for overall development of tourism between the two countries .

‘The travel entrepreneurs and the government should find ways to attract at least 200 thousand Chinese tourists to Nepal,’ Shrestha added.

Sunil Sharma, officiating Director of NTB, threw light on tourism scenario between the two countries.

Promotional videos on “ Beautiful China- 2017 Year of Silk Road Tourism “ and ‘ Tea house Road and Beautiful China – More than Pandas ‘were presented during talk program on ‘Silk Road Tourism between China and Nepal.’

April 19, 2017   Photos – Nepal Travel BizNews