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Economic Lifeline The agreement between Nepal and China allowing Chinese tourists to visit the kingdom has encouraged tourism entrepreneurs By KESHAB POUDEL Following the resurgence of Maoist violence, the uncertainty gripping the Himalayan kingdom has turned more ominous. On the tourism front, the situation has gone from bad to worse, as a large number of western and Indian tourists have either cancelled or postponed their travel plans. At a time when the backbone of the economy is gasping for its very survival, a 20-member Chinese delegation led by Tourism Minister Hu Quanbai arrived in Kathmandu and signed a formal agreement, injecting new hope in the industry. Although China placed Nepal as one of 19 foreign destinations for Chinese visitors last year, this week's agreement has formalized the mechanism for the inflow of tourists from the northern neighbor. Nepal is the only country in South Asia Chinese tourists are allowed to visit. While other countries, including Nepal's close southern neighbor, India, are discouraging their citizens from visiting the kingdom, Beijing has extended a welcome gesture of goodwill to Kathmandu. After the signing of the formal agreement, Chinese tourists will be allowed to visit Nepal in groups of at least five. China, which has long supported Nepal's efforts to become economically independent, has again come to the kingdom's aid at a time of crisis. This agreement would go on to strengthen Nepal's overall economy by reviving the vital tourism sector. "Nepal and China need to change many things before the agreement's objectives can materialize. This agreement will help boost economic ties between the two countries," said Chinese Tourism Minister Hu. "The agreement has paved the way for other arrangements, including the exchange of Chinese currency, aviation service and other entry points." Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K.C was equally upbeat. "We hope Nepal will receive continual support from China to in coming days to achieve the objectives of the agreement," he said. According to official figures, Chinese visitors make up 1.27 percent of the total tourist arrivals in Nepal. Some 5,000 Chinese visited Nepal last year. With a formal agreement now in place, tourism entrepreneurs believe annual arrivals from China could go up to 50,000. "The agreement has boosted our confidence as Nepal's tourism sector has got another big market," said a leading tourism entrepreneur.n |
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