New destinations are being discovered to attract more tourists: Tourism Minister Tamang

KATHMANDU, June 08:Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Hit Bahadur Tamang has stated that new destinations are being sought to attract more tourists. Minister Tamang made the remarks while addressing the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter in Kathmandu on Thursday.

He stated that the government is aiming to attract 1.6 million foreign tourists coming fiscal year and believes that tourism can only be promoted with the cooperation of the government and the corporate sector. Minister Tamang stated that 1 million visitors visited Nepal in 2023, and the government is trying to bring in at least 1.6 million by 2024.

He stated that the government is preparing to operate Eco Hill Station in collaboration with the private sector and expressed his belief that people of Nepal's Terai and Indian tourists may enjoy themselves while escaping the heat. He believes that Nepal has many beautiful lakes and the Himalayan range, which attract many people, and that numerous holy sites, such as Lord Gautam Buddha (Lumbini), Pashupatinath, and Muktinath, the symbol of peace, might be wonderful tourist attractions.

He stated the conviction that the government is trying to remove the VAT and other levies that were previously imposed for the development of this region, which will encourage tourists to stay in Nepal for an extended period. He stated that Nepal is on the must-visit list.He stated that because Nepal is on the must-visit list in the global tourism market, infrastructure construction has begun in both ancient and new areas with high tourism potential.

He stated that more tourists should come to climb mountains and explore natural resources. He stated that because the expansion of the tourist sector will lay the groundwork for the country's prosperity, the government will collaborate with tourism-related groups.