NTB requests cooperation from Swedish parliamentarians for tourism promotion.

KATHMANDU, August 29: The Nepal Tourism Board has requested the Swedish parliamentarians to cooperate for the promotion of Nepal's tourism. The executive head of the board Dhananjay Regmi mentioned that there is ample potential for cooperation between the two countries and requested for cooperation.

He requested the parliamentarians to take the initiative in this regard because Nepal has been on the safety list of the European Union for a long time, but has not been able to have a direct flight connection with Europe affecting the country’s tourism prospects.

“Nepal is a center of attraction for tourists from all over the world for nature, culture, and adventure. Many Europeans want to come to Nepal to enjoy Nepal's adventure tourism. However, due to the lack of direct air connectivity, that is not possible. In the context that the Nepalese government is serious about air safety, their role can be important in removing the restrictions on the European skies. If that happens, it will be a great gift for Nepali from Sweden, Regmi said.

On the occasion of the meeting, Swedish MP Maria Stockhaus mentioned that they have taken the issue of Nepal being on the European Union's safety list seriously and urged them to take more initiatives on this matter. Similarly, it was mentioned that Sweden is positive for Nepal's tourism development and said that necessary initiatives will be taken by identifying areas of cooperation.

Nepali Consul General for Sweden Maushmi Shrestha expressed his belief that this meeting of the Swedish parliamentarians will further strengthen the relationship between Nepal and Sweden.

According to Laxman Gautam, acting marketing director of the board, about 40,000 tourists from Sweden visited Nepal in 2019, while 14,000 tourists visited Nepal from January to July 2023.