Entrepreneurs ask tourists to continue Nepal visit in wake of quake

Tourism entrepreneurs have called foreign tourists not to change their plan of visiting Nepal, in wake of the devastating April 25 earthquake.

Issuing a press release, the Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) said, “The tourism operators of Nepal are warning international travellers not to jump to conclusions over damage.”

“The popular tourist areas have escaped the brunt of the damage of the recent earthquake,” the release read, “The Kathmandu Valley is alive and kicking and striving to get back on its feet.”

Despite damages seen in historical and cultural monuments, Nepal is still able to welcome tourists, claimed the Association.

Informing that roads and air transport links are intact across the country, it said majority of hotels and restaurants are already back in operation.

“The Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is operating around the clock,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Association called the government to step up measures to ensure that tourism activities are smooth.

“The destroyed monuments and cultural sites around the Kathmandu Valley and elsewhere need to be built back up and this will provide employment and create resurgence in traditional building methods,” Association Ashok Pokharel said.

source:the himalayan times,4 may 2015