Nepal Tourism Year (NTY 2011) will be formally launched on Feb. 26. According to NTY-2011 Secretariat, leaders of all political parties, government and the private sector and professionals will gather at Tundikhel, Kathmandu, to express their commitment to make the tourism year a success.
"We are bringing together political leaders, government officials, private sector representatives and professionals on Feb. 26 for the declaration ," said Yogendra Shakya, coordinator of NTY-2011 working committee. The day will witness rallies launched by organisations associated with the travel trade industry while six ethnic groups will showcase their support for NTY-2011.
The then Maoist-led government in 2008 had announced Nepal Tourism Year 2011 with an ambitious plan to bring in a million tourists.
The NTY 2011 Secretariat on Sunday began its four-day briefing for the launch of the campaign. Various private sector organisations and travel trade entrepreneurs were briefed on Sunday by the Secretariat.
Kush Kumar Joshi, president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), urged the Secretariat to launch the campaign in other parts of the country, as well. "Then only, can we raise awareness about it," said Joshi. Joshi also promised that FNCCI would be promoting NTY through some 30 expos being held in various districts.
Suraj Baidhya, senior vice-president of the FNCCI said the government should provide special incentives to the private sector to develop infrastructure and attract investors for NTY-2011. He said that the launch of NTY-2011 should be decentralised to make popular involvement in the entire sector across the country.
Prachanda Man Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, said that all 25 political parties represented in the Constitution Assembly (CA) have given tourism sector top priority in their agenda."It's the time to realise and transorm their commmitment into reality, "Shrestha said.
Laxman Prasad Bhattarai, Under-Secretary and the Spokesperson at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said that the success of national campaign would depend on how well and effectively the political commitments would be realised.
Various stakeholders expressed doubts over successful completion of NTY 2011 due to frequent general strikes and banda. "This time the party leaders must make a written commitment that the country is free from strikes, bandas and labour disputes," Joshi said.
