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Splendid welcome awaits tourists arriving on World Tourism Day

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Tourists arriving in Nepal on World Tourism Day on Sept 27 will be honoured with a splendid reception. The government, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and travel trade organizations have decided to celebrate the 34th World Tourism Day (WTD) by laying on a grand welcome to foreign visitors at tourism sites and entry points across the country.

The theme of this year’s WTD is Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future, in support of the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation. This year’s theme highlights the role of tourism in water access and shines a spotlight on the actions currently being taken to contribute to a more sustainable water future and the challenges ahead.

“As Nepal’s major tourism products are linked to water resources, the event will highlight the importance of tourism and water on the country’s economy and its sustainable development,” said Mohan Krishna Sapkota, spokesperson for the Tourism Ministry.

Tourism stakeholders have planned to welcome tourists arriving at Tribhuvan Internat-ional Airport (TIA) and Pokhara Airport. Overland tourists will be welcomed at different border points. Food and street festivals have also been planned in major cities for a week.

Clean-up programmes will be conducted at various religious and tourism sites and rivers. The Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal Pokhara Chapter will be organizing a mini street festival to mark the occasion. The Tara Gaon Development Board will be providing a 25 percent discount on breakfast, lunch and dinner at Fewa Restaurant, Pokhara Resort, Kakani Resort and Nagarkot Resort.

Similarly, all member hotels of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) will be providing free accommodation for four nights to five tourists chosen by a draw of lots. All the tourists will be offered a 25 percent discount on food on Sept 27. The Narayanhiti Durbar Museum has announced free entrance for the first two tourists , and the Tourist Guide Association of Nepal will be providing free half-day sightseeing at Kathmandu Durbar Square. The Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee will be issuing 20 percent discount coupons from all the tourist counters in Bhaktapur.

Meanwhile, the Royal Enfielders and the Chitwan Enfielders will be organizing Enfield motorcycle rides on the Dharan-Kakkarbhitta, Narayanghat-Lumbini-Sunauli and Kathmandu-Kodari routes. The Nepal Association of Rafting Agents has announced a 20 percent discount on rafting packages on the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi rivers on Sept 27.

Secretary of the Tourism Ministry Sushil Ghimire said the government was committed to launching new activities in the coming years apart from holding the traditional celebration of WTD. He added the government had started work to amend various tourism regulations and policies as they had become outdated.

source: the kathmandu post,24 Sep 2013
photo: The Kathmandu post