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Kathmandu Thursday April 19, 2001 Baishakh 06, 2058.
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China includes Nepal as its outbound destination
Post Report
KATHMANDU, April 18-China has formally
accepted Nepal’s request to be included in its list of outbound destinations enabling
its citizens to travel to Nepal. A Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) to this effect has
been signed recently.
The MoU was signed by Omkar Shrestha,
Minister for Culture,Tourism and Civil Aviation and He Guangwel, chairman of the China
National Tourism Administration(CNTA) in Beijing on Monday.
Minister Shrestha, talking briefly to The
Kathmandu Post shortly after his arrival in Nepal after a week long visit, on Wednesday,
expressed hope that the new understanding would pave way for cooperation in the tourism
sector between the two friendly neighbours.
"There is a tremendous potential for
Nepal to benefit from the outbound Chinese tourists especilally after its being accepted
as the first South Asian outbound destination." said Shrestha.
The MoU has agreed to open non-commercial and
non-profit tourism promotion offices in each other’s country.
China had requested to let open its office in
Kathmandu some years ago. But protest from a some tourism entrepreneurs had barred the
government from decide to this effect.
Likewise the MoU has laid emphasis upon
measures to encourage third country tourist to visit each other’s country.
Informing of the outcome of the visit,
Minister Shrestha informed that both the countries have agreed to operate direct flights
between Beijing and Kathmandu as soon as possible.
As Chinese premier’s visit to Nepal is
slated for the second week of May, both the governments are preparing to enter into yet
another agreement regarding implementation of plans to bring Chinese tourists to Nepal.
"Detailed agreement on attracting
Chinese tourists to
Nepal and procedural arrangement will be sorted out during the upcoming visit."
informed Minister Shrestha.
The 8 member delegation held bilateral
discussions with Chinese private and governmental officials regarding various matters of
mutual interest during the visit.
According the delegates special emphasis was
given to increase air service routes, frequency and capacity of existing flights among
others, during the discussions.
China had principally agreed to include Nepal as
the first 1South Asian destination some 8 months ago.
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