Nepal-Sri Lanka for joint tourism package promotion
Colombo : Tourism entrepreneurs of Nepal and Sri Lanka have agreed to develop joint tour packages targeting tourists from countries like India and China.
The entrepreneurs along with policymakers of both the countries said the combined package could be instrumental in attracting more tourists. They also suggested establishing direct air connectivity between Kathmandu and Colombo to increase the number of tourists in both countries.
A Nepalese delegation of tourism entrepreneurs urged the travel trade professionals in Sri Lanka to chalk out joint tourism promotion programmes .
The business delegations of the two countries held discussions on increasing Sri Lankan investment in tourism and infrastructure development in Nepal.
The delegation led by Chairman of the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Shyamsundar Lal Kakshyapati, participated in a Nepali tourism fair organized in Sri Lanka,where Buddhist destinations of both the countries were highlighted.
Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Issuing a statement, said its promotional programs in the Sri Lankan capital were aimed at developing Nepal as a destination for pilgrimage and leisure tourism.
Speaking at a program organized by HAN in Colombo, Chandima Wirakodi, Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, said the combined package can attract tourists from various destinations as it will include different products ranging from mountain to ocean.
Sushil Chandra Amatya, Nepali ambassador to Sri Lanka, said direct air connectivity between Kathmandu and Colombo can help bring Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka to Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
HAN President Shyam Sundar Lal Kakshpati expressed hope that the number of Sri Lankan tourists visiting Nepal will reach 100,000 by 2013. Around 60,000 Sri Lankan tourists had visited Nepal during Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The half-yearly meeting of HAN issued a three-point declaration in Colombo requesting the government to construct regional international airport in Pokhara and Lumbini, renew the lease agreement of resorts inside Chitwan National Park and ensuring representation of HAN in the governing board of Nepal Tourism Board.
The two countries signed an agreement to establish air services between Kathmandu and Colombo in 2009 expecting to increase Sri Lankan tourist arrivals to Nepal.
Early this year Sri Lanka cabinet approved proposal to renovate the pilgrims rest at Lumbini at a cost of 65 million rupees.Sri Lanka is targeting to welcome 2.5 million tourists by 2016. The government plans to add 100 hotels with the capacity of 20,000 rooms during that period. Sri Lanka had welcomed around 800,000 tourists in 2011.-TBN
