Tourism sector top priority for the government: PM Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the government has put the tourism sector of the country on its top priority. Inaugurating the fourth Himalayan Travel Mart that began from Tuesday in Kathmandu, Prime Minister Dahal urged the entrepreneurs to invest in the tourism sector without any hesitation. He also called on the world community to invest in tourism infrastructure. "The government has put the tourism sector on top priority. I call for investment in the tourism sector as it gives more results with less investment. The government is committed to facilitate the same," he said. Stating that Nepal is a significant tourist destination in terms of natural beauty, geographical diversity, mountains, language, art, heritages and culture, he expressed the view that the country's economy could be improved by linking Nepal's tourism with economic prosperity. PM Dahal further said Travel Mart has become the major forum for tourism promotion of Nepal as well as Himalaya region. Mentioning that the tourism sector, which has immense potential to increase economic growth and opportunity of employment, is the backbone of the country's economy, he said the government was committed to developing Nepal as an attractive tourism destination. Prime Minister Dahal expressed belief that the role of the tourism sector would be significant to further strengthen the country's economy, adding that the attention of the government and political parties has been focused on the development of the economy. Similarly, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sushila Sripali, expressed the hope that the Travel Mart would be useful to promote Nepal's tourism in the global market. Secretary at the Ministry, Suresh Adhikari, viewed that such tourism related activities would be helpful for promoting Nepali tourism destinations in the global market. Likewise, Executive Chairperson of Nepal Airlines Corporation, Yubaraj Adhikari, and Executive Chief of Nepal Tourism Board, Dr Dhananjaya Regmi, stressed that all stakeholders should be active to make the tourism sector further dynamic by widening the partnership between the government and private sector.